Dean of Natural Sciences and Engineering

Montgomery College•Center West, AL

About The Position

Job Description Key Responsibilities Leadership and Strategic Planning Provide administrative and strategic leadership to department chairs, faculty, and staff in short- and long-term planning, program development, and academic initiatives. Ensure the academic quality, rigor, and relevance of programs within the natural sciences and engineering disciplines. Oversee curriculum development, program review, and assessment to ensure alignment with disciplinary standards, transfer expectations, and institutional priorities. Promote innovative teaching and learning approaches, including laboratory-based instruction, inquiry-driven learning, and undergraduate research opportunities. Lead strategic planning for emerging academic directions and new program development in science and engineering fields. Ensure that laboratories, equipment, and instructional facilities effectively support teaching and student learning. Maintain alignment of programs with transfer institutions and evolving expectations within scientific and engineering disciplines. Faculty & Staff Support Recruit, mentor, support, and evaluate full-time faculty, department chairs, and staff. Encourage ongoing professional development, scholarly engagement, and instructional innovation. Support faculty participation in research initiatives, grants, and collaborative academic projects. Foster a collegial, inclusive environment that values shared governance and faculty leadership. Ensure compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements and institutional policies. Student Success & Academic Pathways Promote student engagement, retention, and completion within natural sciences and engineering programs. Support academic pathways that facilitate transfer to four-year institutions and preparation for careers in scientific and engineering fields. Encourage student involvement in undergraduate research, experiential learning, internships, and applied learning experiences. Collaborate with advising, academic support services, and student affairs to strengthen coordinated student success initiatives. Advance inclusive practices that support the success of a diverse student population in science and engineering. Budget & Resource Management Develop and administer the annual budget for the unit, ensuring effective and equitable allocation of resources. Authorize and monitor expenditures to ensure responsible stewardship of institutional and external funds. Collaborate with Academic Affairs leadership to pursue external funding through grants, contracts, and partnerships. Support strategic planning for laboratory infrastructure, instructional technology, and equipment investments. External Relations & Partnerships Serve as a liaison with universities, research institutions, government agencies, and industry partners to strengthen transfer pathways and collaborative opportunities. Support partnerships that enhance student learning through research experiences, internships, and experiential opportunities. Represent the natural sciences and engineering disciplines in institutional initiatives and community outreach. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to promote the visibility and impact of the unit’s programs and initiatives.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a natural science or engineering discipline, or a closely related field; doctorate or terminal degree preferred.
Five (5) years of higher education leadership experience or equivalent managerial or leadership experience in a scientific or engineering discipline.
Teaching experience in a natural science or engineering discipline at the post-secondary level.
The equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and expertise to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.
Eligible applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States and not require employer visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting laboratory-based instruction, scientific program development, or transfer pathways is preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to equity, and inclusion in science and engineering education.
Student-centered leadership and commitment to academic excellence.
Ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders across disciplines and departments.
Knowledge of disciplinary standards and trends within natural sciences and engineering education.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-informed decision-making skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Strategic mindset with the ability to guide innovation and anticipate emerging opportunities and challenges.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative and strategic leadership to department chairs, faculty, and staff in short- and long-term planning, program development, and academic initiatives.
Ensure the academic quality, rigor, and relevance of programs within the natural sciences and engineering disciplines.
Oversee curriculum development, program review, and assessment to ensure alignment with disciplinary standards, transfer expectations, and institutional priorities.
Promote innovative teaching and learning approaches, including laboratory-based instruction, inquiry-driven learning, and undergraduate research opportunities.
Lead strategic planning for emerging academic directions and new program development in science and engineering fields.
Ensure that laboratories, equipment, and instructional facilities effectively support teaching and student learning.
Maintain alignment of programs with transfer institutions and evolving expectations within scientific and engineering disciplines.
Recruit, mentor, support, and evaluate full-time faculty, department chairs, and staff.
Encourage ongoing professional development, scholarly engagement, and instructional innovation.
Support faculty participation in research initiatives, grants, and collaborative academic projects.
Foster a collegial, inclusive environment that values shared governance and faculty leadership.
Ensure compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements and institutional policies.
Promote student engagement, retention, and completion within natural sciences and engineering programs.
Support academic pathways that facilitate transfer to four-year institutions and preparation for careers in scientific and engineering fields.
Encourage student involvement in undergraduate research, experiential learning, internships, and applied learning experiences.
Collaborate with advising, academic support services, and student affairs to strengthen coordinated student success initiatives.
Advance inclusive practices that support the success of a diverse student population in science and engineering.
Develop and administer the annual budget for the unit, ensuring effective and equitable allocation of resources.
Authorize and monitor expenditures to ensure responsible stewardship of institutional and external funds.
Collaborate with Academic Affairs leadership to pursue external funding through grants, contracts, and partnerships.
Support strategic planning for laboratory infrastructure, instructional technology, and equipment investments.
Serve as a liaison with universities, research institutions, government agencies, and industry partners to strengthen transfer pathways and collaborative opportunities.
Support partnerships that enhance student learning through research experiences, internships, and experiential opportunities.
Represent the natural sciences and engineering disciplines in institutional initiatives and community outreach.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to promote the visibility and impact of the unit’s programs and initiatives.