Associate Professor or Professor and Founding Director, School of Applied Engineering

University of Illinois Springfield • Springfield, IL

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Illinois Springfield invites applications for the Founding Director of its planned School of Applied Engineering, at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The Director will establish and grow the School, which will launch with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology designed to connect academic instruction with meaningful workplace experience. The School aims to create accessible educational pathways through partnerships with employers and community colleges, aligning education with regional workforce needs.

The Director will shape the School’s academic identity, recruit and support faculty, build partnerships, lead curriculum implementation and student pathway development, and establish the processes and resources needed for long-term success. The role includes serving as the School’s Unit Executive Officer and representing it in College and University leadership activities. The Director will also lead planning for ABET accreditation and promote a collaborative, innovative academic culture.

This is a full-time, on-campus tenure-system appointment with a nine-month academic appointment and an administrative stipend for year-round leadership responsibilities. The position includes teaching one to two upper-division Engineering Technology courses annually, scholarship appropriate to academic rank, and service. A tenure waiver may be possible subject to university policies and approval. Visa sponsorship is not available.

The nine-month base salary is $135,000–$165,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus an administrative stipend. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027, with an earlier date negotiable. Applications are due January 4, 2027; review will begin soon after the deadline and continue until the position is filled or the search is terminated.

Requirements

• Earned doctorate in engineering, engineering education, engineering technology, or a closely related field.
• Record of teaching, scholarship, and service sufficient for tenure at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
• Significant applied or professional engineering experience appropriate for engineering technology programs.
• Demonstrated academic or organizational leadership experience, such as program director, department chair, center director, or comparable role.
• Experience with curriculum development and academic assessment.
• Ability to build and sustain partnerships with employers and external stakeholders.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience establishing or significantly expanding an academic program, department, school, or comparable initiative.
• Experience with work-based learning, cooperative education, apprenticeships, or other forms of industry-integrated education.
• Experience with ABET accreditation or comparable academic quality assurance processes.
• Experience developing community college partnerships, transfer pathways, or programs serving nontraditional students.
• Experience securing external funding, developing industry-supported initiatives, or leading applied research partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in student recruitment, enrollment growth, or development of new educational markets.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision, leadership, and direction to establish and grow the School of Applied Engineering.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan supporting academic quality, enrollment growth, financial sustainability, and industry relevance.
• Recruit, mentor, and support faculty and build a collaborative, innovative academic culture.
• Establish administrative processes, policies, and resources for effective School operations.
• Serve as the School’s Unit Executive Officer and represent the School in College and University leadership activities.
• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology.
• Advance a work-based learning model integrating academic preparation with applied experience in industry settings.
• Work with faculty and partners to ensure curriculum relevance, academic rigor, and alignment with evolving engineering technology practices.
• Establish assessment and continuous improvement processes supporting student success and progress toward ABET accreditation.
• Develop educational pathways for transfer students, working professionals, and others seeking engineering technology careers.
• Build and sustain employer partnerships supporting work-based learning, curriculum development, and student career opportunities.
• Collaborate with community colleges on coordinated transfer pathways and expanded access to engineering technology education.
• Engage regional industry, economic development organizations, and other stakeholders to align the School with emerging workforce needs.
• Identify opportunities for external funding, applied research, and collaborative initiatives.
• Teach one to two upper-division Engineering Technology courses annually.
• Maintain scholarship appropriate to academic rank, potentially including applied engineering, engineering education, industry-engaged research, and work-based learning.
• Contribute to the University’s academic mission through service, professional engagement, and institutional leadership.

Benefits

• The position offers a nine-month base salary of $135,000–$165,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus an administrative stipend for year-round Director responsibilities.
• The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio.

What This Job Offers

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