Academic Unit Head, Department of Engineering

James Madison University • Harrisonburg, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

James Madison University (JMU) invites applications for the position of Department Head and Endowed Faculty Chair of Engineering. This is a tenured, 12-month appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor. A recent commitment establishing the endowed chair will provide significant resources and flexibility for the Department Head to pursue a broad range of initiatives aligned with the Department’s needs, opportunities, and the successful candidate’s interests. The Department Head reports to the Dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering and is supported by an Assistant Department Head, Program Director, Academic Advisor, Fiscal Technician, Office Manager, and Laboratory Manager.
The Department of Engineering consists of 18 instructional faculty and 6 staff members serving approximately 750 students, with about 120 graduates each year. The Department offers an ABET-accredited B.S. in Engineering, and students may choose to pursue concentrations in Electro-Mechanical Systems, Geo-Environmental Systems, or Civil & Environmental Systems. As an undergraduate-focused engineering program within a large public university, we combine the close faculty-student interaction and small class sizes often associated with smaller programs with substantial facilities, staffing, and resources. Our project-based curriculum gives students significant responsibility for their own work in courses, laboratories, research, and design projects, creating a highly hands-on learning environment. Students have access to a fully staffed machine shop, fabrication laboratory, digital prototyping facilities, and dedicated capstone and project workspaces. Research, project, and instructional infrastructure includes more than $2 million in tools, instrumentation, and equipment located in over 30,000 square feet of dedicated engineering laboratory, fabrication, research and project space.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in engineering or closely related field
• Leadership experience in engineering
• A demonstrated commitment to engineering education at the undergraduate level
• A track record of teaching, scholarship and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of associate professor
• Evidence of sustained commitment to shared governance

Nice To Haves

• A demonstrated commitment to the development of faculty and staff
• A track record of teaching, scholarship and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of professor
• An undergraduate degree in engineering

Responsibilities

• Manage and steward the Department’s academic programs, personnel, facilities, and resources within the evolving landscape of higher education.
• Advocate for the Department within JMU and externally with industry partners, prospective students, academic peers, alumni, and other constituencies.
• Manage the Department’s annual budget and oversee the responsible allocation of financial and other resources.
• Manage and conduct academic administration, including course assignments and scheduling, annual faculty evaluations, and review of tenure and promotion applications.
• Supervise Department staff and conduct annual performance evaluations.
• Foster a culture of shared governance, transparency, and trust through collaborative decision-making and consensus building among faculty from a range of disciplinary backgrounds.
• Work effectively and constructively with College and University leadership to advance Department, College, and institutional priorities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree