Dean of Engineering

About This Role

Kansas State University, the nation’s first land-grant university, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a successful, driven, and nationally/internationally recognized leader to join a highly successful College of Engineering in a public R1, land-grant university.

The successful candidate must have the experience and vision to inspire, guide, and facilitate the College’s faculty and staff in the advancement of high-quality teaching, research, service, engagement, and extension while providing leadership that assures the integrity, excellence, relevance, and success of the College's multi-faceted programs. The Dean reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President, Jesse Perez Mendez, and serves as a member of the Academic Leadership Council and Deans Council.

This position is ideal for a cutting edge, learner-centric leader with a proven history of successful growth initiatives, strong partnership and collaboration skills, strategic vision, and results-focused leadership. The Dean will continue to grow the College’s excellence in teaching, research, service, extension, and engagement; promote a collaborative leadership approach; and cultivate internal and external partnerships to propel advancement of the University’s Next Gen K-State Strategic Plan.

Responsibilities and Core Duties

The Dean, holder of an endowed chair, is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College, providing leadership, strategic vision and direction, and support for the College. In addition, the Dean provides university leadership to support and promote the academic mission of the University. Specific responsibilities of the Dean will include:

• Leading all academic programs in the College.
• Promoting high-quality undergraduate, graduate, and non-credit experiences.
• Supporting effective academic advising and mentoring.
• Building enduring excellence and growth in research, extension, and engagement programs serving the State, nation, and world.
• Being actively involved in the recruitment and retention of high caliber learners, faculty, and staff to the college, as well as promoting a welcoming environment.
• Working productively with learners, faculty, staff, department heads, deans, administrators, and the broader community on interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives.
• Providing strategic leadership for advancing the College’s strategic plan with the University’s vision to become a Next-Generation
• Land-Grant University.
• Leading fundraising efforts on behalf of the College with a high degree of personal involvement.
• Strengthening strategic relationships and engagement with the community stakeholders, alumni, legislators, industry, and benefactors across the state and beyond, working closely with constituents on issues related to the enhancement of the College and the University.

About Us

The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is dedicated to driving innovation and preparing the next generation of technological leaders. With 15 undergraduate, 11 master’s and 8 doctoral degree programs, the college is meeting growing demand for skilled professionals and advancing knowledge to benefit society. As a premier institution, our mission is to educate and empower students to tackle the challenges of an ever-evolving world. The budget for the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering for fiscal year 2025 was $61.7 million; the endowment of the College is approximately $160 million. Significant increases in competitive research funding and fundraising, and important developments in technology transfer have occurred in recent years. Learn more at engg.k-state.edu.

Mission

The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering will educate the next generation of global technological leaders through the dissemination and creation of knowledge and scholarly activity that results in a safe, sustainable and secure society.

For more information about this opportunity, position expectations, and the local community, please view the executive profile. 

For information on how to apply or to submit nominations, please refer to the 'How to Apply' section below.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned Ph.D. or terminal degree in a discipline necessary to qualify as a faculty member in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
• A strong record of distinguished academic achievement in teaching, research, and/or extension, which merits appointment as a tenured, full professor in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
• Evidence of professional distinction and national or international recognition in their field.
• Demonstrated success as an innovative and strategic leader with the ability to plan, coordinate, articulate, and execute a strategic vision and initiatives while engaging with both internal and external constituencies.
• Demonstrated success as a strategic/creative planner and relationship builder with exceptional collaboration, communication, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
• A proven record as a successful administrator in higher education, with responsibility for guiding strategy, managing finances, evaluating personnel, motivating faculty and staff, acquiring and allocating resources, engaging external constituencies, and fostering inclusive teamwork to create collaborative relationships across varying groups.
• Demonstrated success in fund development and external fundraising.
• A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to all aspects of the land-grant mission, including teaching, research, service, extension, and engagement.
• A recognition and appreciation for a collaborative and positive working environment.
• An understanding of and commitment to shared governance to achieve college- and university-wide goals.
• A firm grasp on the mission of a land-grant university with R1 status and its historic commitment to access.

The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A proven ability to develop and implement successful interdisciplinary and/or international programs.
• A proven ability to initiate, lead, and facilitate transformational change and innovation initiatives, be adaptable with changing conditions that accompanies a large public university.
• A history of building, enhancing, and sustaining partnerships across a university, local communities, state, region, and nation.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

How to Apply

Buffkin / Baker is assisting K-State with this search. To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at this link.

Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, application materials should be received no later than October 17, 2025. Candidates should provide a letter of application describing their interest and qualifications for the position, current vitae, and information for five references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Nominations and inquiries should be sent electronically via email to Martin Baker and Chelsie Whitelock of Buffkin / Baker at ksuengdean@buffkinbaker.com.

Application Window

For fullest consideration, apply by October 17, 2025.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

Commensurate with experience.