Education Executives Seeking Dean for the College of Engineering at the University of Delaware
May 1, 2024 – Santa Barbara, CA-based Education Executives is currently leading a search for the new dean for the College of Engineering at the University of Delaware. Ilene H. Nagel, John D. Simon, and Charles E. Kaler are leading the assignment. The search began in January. The school seeks a forward-looking, engaged, and strategic new dean of its College of Engineering with a deep commitment to innovation, diversity, and collaborative excellence in research and education. The next dean of the College of Engineering will have the vision, engagement, and integrity required to guide the College through the next phase of growth in its research and educational programs.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the organizational and communication skills required for leadership of a large and complex enterprise and should have a record of creating and sustaining a collegial, inclusive, supportive, and respectful climate.
The dean is the chief academic and executive officer of the college, reporting directly to the provost of the university, and serving as a member of the university’s senior leadership team. The dean is responsible for creating and sustaining a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence within the College and working with the other deans at the university to strengthen and expand the college’s many cross-disciplinary collaborations. The school also notes that the dean will work with faculty to create and implement strategies to advance the university’s and college’s position as a leader and valued partner in education, externally-funded research, and private sector collaborations.
Encompassing seven departments, over 20 academic programs, and 20 research centers in engineering and computing, the College of Engineering is home to 174 full-time faculty members, 58 research staff, and 280 technical and administrative staff members supporting the scientific, educational, and administrative functions of the College.
Santa Barbara, CA-based Education Executives specializes in the identification, recruitment, and mentorship of senior leaders for comprehensive research universities, academic medical centers, and scientific entities. Education Executives consultants have conducted over 300 searches for senior academic leaders across the nation.
Related: Ohio State University Taps Education Executives to Find New Provost
The search firm is led by president Ilene H. Nagel. Previously, she served as the global leader of the higher education practice for Russell Reynolds Associates. Before becoming a search consultant, Dr. Nagel had more than 30 years’ experience as an academic, with professorial appointments in several AAU research universities. Most recently, she served as the executive vice chancellor (chief academic officer) at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Before that, Dr. Nagel was dean of the graduate school and associate provost for research at the University of Maryland, College Park. Previously, she was on the law faculty at Indiana University, Bloomington, where she was a tenured full professor, with a joint appointment in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Ohio State President Search
In September, Education Executives assisted in the recruitment of Walter Carter as the 17th president of Ohio State University. Kristina Johnson, who held the role since 2020, stepped down in May. “President Carter brings an unparalleled combination of strategic leadership and true service, and we could not be more thrilled to welcome him and his family to Ohio State,” said board chair Hiroyuki Fujita, who also served as chair of the presidential selection subcommittee. “We were absolutely determined to find the next great leader for Ohio State in today’s highly complex and competitive higher-education environment. With input from our university community and the highest recommendations from those who have worked with president Carter during his extraordinary career, I believe we have done just that.”
“President Carter represents the qualities, skills and attributes our faculty, staff and students sought in a leader,” said Janet Box-Steffensmeier, distinguished university professor, Vernal Riffe professor of political science, and professor of sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Mr. Carter is known for strategic ingenuity and a highly collaborative leadership style honed over almost 40 years in higher education and the United States Navy. Currently, he serves as president of the University of Nebraska System, overseeing four campuses of almost 70,000 students, faculty and staff, including their academic medical center.
Related: Why Universities Have Stepped Up Efforts to Involve Search Firms
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
