Apply nowJob no: 517964
Work type: Regular Full-time (Benefits eligible)
Location: Tuscaloosa
Categories: Tenure/Tenure-Track Faculty, Faculty Administrative Positions

Department/Organization
214101 - Dean's Office - Engineering

Rank
Associate/Full Professor

Position Summary
The College of Engineering’s Assistant Dean (AD) for Student Success is an essential role that will help the College achieve its goals of further developing a diverse community across the College, leverage that diversity as a strength in pursuing the education, research, and service missions of the College, and promote and support inclusive excellence and success amongst its students, staff, and faculty. This position is integral to the College of Engineering’s objectives to be a collaborative, inclusive, and caring community of scholars that strives for equitable opportunities and outstanding outcomes for all of our students, staff, and faculty in everything we do.

This hiring requisition is for a tenure/tenure track faculty position and candidates will be considered for an Associate or Full Professor rank (anticipated rank should be indicated in the cover letter). Appointments to the faculty of The University of Alabama are based on the personnel requirements of the University’s academic programs and on the goal of achieving and maintaining excellence in its teaching, research, and service/academic citizenship activities.

Detailed Position Information
The College of Engineering’s Assistant Dean (AD) for Student Success is an essential role that will help the College achieve its goals of further developing a diverse community across the College, leverage that diversity as a strength in pursuing the education, research, and service missions of the College, and promote and support inclusive excellence and success amongst its students, staff, and faculty. This position is integral to the College of Engineering’s objectives to be a collaborative, inclusive, and caring community of scholars that strives for equitable opportunities and outstanding outcomes for all of our students, staff, and faculty in everything we do. The Assistant Dean will ensure the college is a welcoming and supportive environment that enables success for individuals from all backgrounds and cultures, and through that inclusive and collaborative community we look to harness our diversity as a source of enrichment and strength. As a College, we value a diversity of views and experiences and believe that each person has something to gain from and offer our community through mutual learning, discovery, and outreach. The AD position’s goals are: (1) to foster and enhance access to the many exciting educational opportunities and programs represented by the College and its departments, (2) lead the development and implementation of practices and programs that enhance diversity, equity, and inclusivity across all aspects of the College in its educational, research, and service activities, and (3) lead the development and implementation of practices and programs that enhance the success of our students. The AD will provide leadership, management, and direction for programs within the College including setting goals and priorities for efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and student support services; develop and manage budgets; direct personnel, facilities, equipment, programs and other resources; recruitment and orientation of students, staff, and faculty to support the mission of the College including the initiatives led by the AD; and advise on university, state, federal, and accrediting agency guidance and policies. The AD works in close collaboration with all communities within the College and reports directly to the Dean of the College of Engineering. The AD guides initiatives and programming designed to enhance academic support for and improve outreach, retention, empowerment and graduation rates of underserved and under-represented undergraduate and graduate students; collaborates with the other faculty, staff, and offices/units at the The University of Alabama to implement best practices for the admissions and recruitment of students from historically underrepresented groups; advises on research, education, and outreach programming that impacts the College’s efforts to best serve under-represented groups within science and engineering; develops strategies and creates programs that foster and support diversity and inclusion efforts within the College; develops, implements, and maintains methodologies to assess efforts within the College and its departments/programs with regards to diversity and inclusion; collects, tracks, analyzes, and presents data as they relate to diversity and inclusion initiatives; provides feedback to departments, programs, faculty, staff, and students on the effectiveness of the various DEI efforts occurring across the College; provides suggestions for continued improvement within the various domains and efforts; monitors national trends, peer institution efforts, and seeks benchmarks for successful access, diversity, and inclusion initiatives; serves as a resource for education and training in a variety of topics that touch on and impact the culture and environment within the College including bias and tolerance; and collaborates with university partners on shared goals of advancing and sustaining student access and success within the College of Engineering at The University of Alabama. Maintaining professional relationships and collaborations with an array of offices and colleagues across the University is essential for meeting the College and position’s goals. As an executive team member, the Assistant Dean for Access, Inclusion, and Student Success has oversight of the College’s DEI Initiatives, as well as programs that provide student support services at the college-level with a focus on under-represented and underserved student populations. The AD enforces policies and performance standards, and advises faculty, administrators and students regarding university policies and procedures related to student success. The AD determines resource needs and priorities, and implements programs and initiatives that align with the College’s strategic plan and goals.

Minimum Qualifications
 Advanced degree in engineering, science, or a closely related field.
 Four to six (4-6) years of work experience in higher education.
 Experience working with underrepresented students and student groups in higher education.
 In-depth understanding and knowledge of the culture and issues of access, diversity, inclusion, equity, and multiculturalism in a higher education setting.
 Strong administrative abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills.
 Demonstrated ability to work independently on concurrent projects.
 Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse individuals in a team-oriented environment.
 Demonstrated ability to deliver programs and workshops.
 Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and execute schedules, meetings, events, and programs.
 Demonstrated ability to read and interpret policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications
 Ph.D. in an engineering or computer science field  Departmental and/or college level leadership experience in an engineering college  An understanding of the concept and practice of cultural humility in order to effectively interact with a wide range of individuals, including undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty and administrators, both inside and outside the university.

Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Applicants should include: (1) a cover letter, (2) a full curriculum vitae (CV), (3) a statement describing the candidate’s experience with and perspectives on efforts directed at issues related to access, diversity, equity, inclusivity, and student success, and (4) a list of at least four professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with an expected start date as early as January 1, 2023. For additional information regarding this search, please contact Ms. Michelle Harris, Administrative Secretary, College of Engineering Dean’s Office, The University of Alabama (P: (205)-348-1598, E: mlharris11@ua.edu).

About the Division/College/School
As one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering instruction, The University of Alabama has more than 175 years of engineering education experience. UA’s College of Engineering is committed to conducting leading-edge research, providing unparalleled educational opportunities and investing in students who will be the scholars and industry professionals shaping the future of the field of engineering.

Research is a critical component of our mission as the flagship university in the state of Alabama. Over the past decade, the College’s research activity has more than doubled, and the Shelby Science and Engineering Quad was completed at a cost of more than $300 million. There are 10 research centers housed under the College, spanning areas from cybersecurity to transportation, that are dedicated to making sustainable changes and an impact on local, national and global levels.

With hundreds of award-winning faculty and staff members, and a diverse offering of nationally accredited programs, facilities and resources, the College has positioned itself for success as a leader in engineering education.

About the University
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus.

A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. The University of Alabama has R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and is among the top doctoral research universities in the United States.

As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.

About Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is so much more than a college town.

It's a vibrant community that’s filled with legendary history. Located along the Black Warrior River, the city features a walkable downtown that’s complete with live music, locally owned shops, outdoor spaces to explore and local restaurants to meet every palate. With a geography ranging from suburban to rural, the area offers a variety of housing options along with excellent public and private schools and a wealth of recreational and entertainment options.

With a metro area population of 235,000, the Druid City lies about an hour southwest of Birmingham, in west-central Alabama. It’s within a few hours’ drive of Gulf Coast beaches and major cities like Nashville, New Orleans and Atlanta, making it a great base for growing better acquainted with the South’s finest offerings.

Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Advertised: 08 Nov 2022 Central Standard Time
Applications close: 31 May 2023 Central Daylight Time