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Dean, College of Engineering and Science

Dean, College of Engineering and Science

InsideHigherEdMelbourne, Florida
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Dean, College of Engineering and Science

Florida Institute of Technology

Position Description

About the Position

Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech), a private research university on the Space Coast, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Engineering and Science. As the state’s STEM University, founded to educate the pioneers of the U.S. space program, Florida Tech is deeply and historically rooted in a culture of relentless determination. Today, the University carries on this legacy through the rigorous hands-on degree programs offered in engineering, science, computing, aeronautics, business, psychology, and more.

Florida Tech seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative Dean who will lead the success, growth, and future of the College of Engineering and Science. The Dean reports directly to the Provost and will lead efforts in promoting excellence in research, teaching, undergraduate and graduate student learning, mentoring, fundraising, and community engagement. The successful candidate will lead a faculty across multiple departments while fostering innovation, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthening industry partnerships across the Space Coast and beyond.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must possess an earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution with scholarly achievements warranting appointment as a tenured Full Professor in an academic department within the College of Engineering and Science. The candidate must also possess a distinguished record of administrative and scholarly accomplishments, as well as proven capabilities in department, program-level, or university-level strategic planning and related decision-making.

In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate the following preferred qualifications :

  • Minimum of 5 years of progressive academic leadership experience with previous experience as a dean, associate dean, or department head strongly preferred.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Understanding of accreditation processes and requirements.
  • Demonstrated success in fundraising and external partnership development.
  • Experience with industry collaboration and technology transfer.
  • Record of successful faculty recruitment and retention.
  • Familiarity with emerging technologies and innovation ecosystems.
  • Professional engineering licensure or equivalent professional credentials (if applicable).

Responsibilities

Academic Leadership

  • Provide strategic vision and leadership for the College of Engineering and Science.
  • Oversee curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Support faculty in achieving excellence in teaching, research, and service.
  • Foster interdisciplinary collaboration within the college and across the university.
  • Ensure programs maintain high academic standards and relevant accreditations.

    • Faculty and Staff Management

  • Lead recruitment, retention, and development of outstanding faculty and staff.
  • Conduct annual performance evaluations and support professional development.
  • Facilitate mentorship programs for junior faculty.

    • Research and Innovation

  • Champion research excellence and support faculty in securing external funding.
  • Develop strategic partnerships with industry, government agencies, and research institutions.
  • Establish and enhance infrastructure and programs to promote graduate research through collaboration with faculty, allowing graduate students to identify problems and seek solutions benefitting industry and society.
  • Ensure the engagement of undergraduate students in research projects, providing in-depth knowledge of real-world problems.
  • Promote technology transfer and commercialization opportunities.
  • Oversee research compliance and integrity initiatives.

    • Financial and Administrative Leadership

  • Manage college budget and resources effectively.
  • Collaborate with the advancement team to develop and implement fundraising strategies for the college.
  • Manage a portfolio of donors and meet target fundraising goals for the college.
  • Oversee facilities planning and capital projects.
  • Ensure efficient administrative operations.

    • External Relations

  • Represent the college to external constituencies including industry partners, alumni, and professional organizations.
  • Create and foster corporate relationships with external partners in key industries such as aerospace and technology.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Support student recruitment and retention efforts.
  • Engage in professional development and continuing education activities.

    • Florida Institute of Technology

    Florida Tech is a private, fully accredited, coeducational, research-intensive, doctoral-granting university and the only independent technological university in the Southeastern United States. With a strong commitment to academic excellence and innovation, Florida Tech provides a high-quality education in science, engineering, technology, business, psychology, liberal arts, aviation, and related disciplines. Florida Tech offers more than 200 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, as well as Ed.S. and certificate programs. The university is considered an R2 university (High Research Activity) with annual research expenditures of $17.8 million, and the largest sources of funding are DOD, NSF, and NASA.

    Representing 80-plus countries, students from outside the United States account for about one-fourth of our student population, and U.S. News & World Report continually ranks Florida Tech one of the best national universities for fostering international student experiences in the U.S. The university prepares students to succeed in the global workforce, pursue advanced degrees, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

    Florida Tech’s campus is located on 130 subtropical acres in Melbourne, Florida – ranked No. 3 place to live near the beach by the U.S. News & World Report. Just eight minutes from the Atlantic Ocean, the campus enjoys an average daily temperature of 72 degrees and offers a unique blend of small-town charm and innovative energy. The surrounding area, known as Florida’s “Space Coast” is home to a vibrant high-tech industry, dynamic art and surf culture, and is just a short drive from the Kennedy Space Center and Orlando attractions. The campus itself features a wide range of academic, athletic, residential, dining, and multiuse facilities. The Milken Institute ranks the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area, the No. 10 best-performing tier one large city in the U.S.

    College of Engineering and Science

    As the largest and most research-intensive arm of Florida Tech, the College of Engineering and Science (COES) is what makes Florida Tech the state’s STEM University. The COES includes seven departments :

  • Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering and Science
  • Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Mathematics and Systems Engineering
  • Mechanical and Civil Engineering
  • Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences

    • With over 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students, 150 dedicated faculty members, and 100 degree programs, the college is one of the most vibrant, recognized, and highly ranked in the United States and around the world.

    COES is home to numerous research labs, centers, and institutes, including the Computation Research At Florida Tech Center (CRAFT), L3Harris Institute for Assured Information (L3HIAI), the Indian River Lagoon Research Institute (IRLRI), and others.

    Application Process

    The Search Advisory Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, please submit application materials by Friday, October 31

    2025 . All applications and nominations will be handled in confidence.

    Applications should include :

  • A comprehensive curriculum vitae,
  • A letter of interest that addresses the qualifications and responsibilities identified in the position description (not to exceed five pages), and
  • Contact information for five professional references (references will not be contacted without permission).

    • Please direct all inquiries, nominations, and applications to :

    Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal

    Jack McGrew, Associate

    Parker Executive Search

    Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875

    Atlanta, GA 30328

    770) 804-1996 ext. 111

    janderson@parkersearch.com || jmcgrew@parkersearch.com

    Florida Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics in its activities and programs. In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Florida Tech does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Inquiries concerning the application of the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policy may be directed to the Equal Opportunity Director and Investigator at 150 West University Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901, or email kgarrett@fit.edu , or +1 321-674-7153; or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

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    Dean Of College Of • Melbourne, Florida