TITLE OF POSITION:

Academic Dean, C-DEC/School of Design & Engineering

DEPARTMENT:

School of Design and Engineering

QUALIFICATIONS:

Philadelphia University invites nominations and applications for the position of Academic Dean for the School of Design and Engineering (SDE).  The School was formed in early 2010 from the existing School of Design and Media and School of Engineering and Textiles and, with the School of Business Administration, now constitutes the new College of Design, Engineering and Commerce (C-DEC).  With this re-structuring, Philadelphia University models its commitment to interdisciplinary academic collaboration and transdisciplinary professional practice.  The University seeks a new Academic Dean who will lead in enacting the promise of a design-driven integrated education. 

The School of Design and Engineering currently includes undergraduate programs in graphic design communications, industrial design, interactive design, digital animation, fashion design, textile design, textile materials technology, engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial systems engineering, and architectural engineering, with planned program expansion in new emerging transdisciplinary programs.  The School also has three Master’s programs in Design and an MS and PhD program in Engineering, with comprehensive plans to expand its graduate offerings.  Reporting to the Executive Dean of the College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, the Academic Dean will also work closely with the Academic Dean of Business Administration to move beyond the boundaries of existing disciplines and focus on innovative programs through team-work, collaboration and connections with industry partners.

The successful candidate will be a proven innovator in developing interdisciplinary curricula that bring these areas together in new ways.  He or she will be an experienced leader and collaborator, ambitious and eager to promote the School of Design and Engineering and the College of Design, Engineering and Commerce to national prominence. Qualified applicants must hold a terminal degree appropriate to the School’s disciplines with experience in teaching, research, or practice, and with significant creative accomplishments. The ideal candidate will have either academic or professional experience in both design and engineering.  In addition, the Academic Dean must demonstrate academic administrative and budgetary experience. Candidates should have a history of achievement gained through collaboration, an appreciation for both professional and liberal arts education, and an enthusiastic commitment to the blending of student, academic, and career aspirations into a complementary set of objectives.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Philadelphia University has retained the services of Auerbach Associates, Inc., a Boston-based national search firm, to assist with this search.  Nominations and applications, accompanied by a letter discussing the candidate’s relevant experience and accomplishments, curriculum vitae, and the names of three references, including their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, should be submitted to:

Judith A. Auerbach, President

Auerbach Associates, Inc.

385 Concord Avenue

Suite 103

Belmont, MA  02478

617. 451.0095 (phone)

PhilaU.SDE@auerbach-assc.com (email)

Electronic submissions preferred

Philadelphia University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, and specifically invites and encourages women and minorities to apply.

STARTING DATE:

Immediately

POSTING DATE:

July 2011