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Dean, College of Engineering
- Montana State University (Bozeman, MT)
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Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26027
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
William Thomas, Dean, College of Letters and Science
406-994-6510
or
Julie Heard
406-994-4373
Classification Title
Working Title Dean, College of Engineering
Brief Position Overview
Montana State University invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Dean of the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. Faculty and staff in the college embrace Montana State’s land-grant mission and excel in teaching, research and service that address the technological and scientific challenges of our time.
Full position profile can be found at: NACOE Dean Search – Office of the Provost | Montana State University (https://www.montana.edu/provost/faculty/untitled.html)
Faculty Tenure Track Yes
Faculty Rank Full Professor
Position Number 4B3379
Department Eng Dean's Support
Division College of Engineering
Appointment Type Faculty
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date 07/01/2026
If other, specify End date
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type MUS
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
NORM ASBJORNSON COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING (https://coe.montana.edu/)
The Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering ( NACOE ) at Montana State University is home to more than 3,350 students and a vibrant community of faculty and staff dedicated to advancing engineering education, research, and innovation. The college offers a broad range of accredited undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for successful, high-impact careers in fields that drive the nation’s economy, including mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, industrial, computer, environmental and biological engineering, as well as computer science and construction management, with NACOE conferring 697 degrees in 2024-25. Montana State University’s Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs are also housed in the college, supporting students in earning an academic degree as they prepare to serve in the US military.
NACOE graduates are highly sought after by employers across the state, region, and nation. Nearly all graduates secure employment or pursue advanced degrees within months of graduation, reflecting the college’s strong reputation and close partnerships with industry leaders, government agencies and national laboratories. The college’s advisory boards, internship programs, and world renown research centers ensure that its academic programs remain closely aligned with the needs of today’s engineering and technology workforce.
The college is housed in some of the most advanced engineering and research facilities in the Rocky Mountain region. The recently completed Norm Asbjornson Hall integrates classrooms, design studios, research laboratories and collaborative learning spaces that promote teamwork, creativity, and the practical application of engineering principles. Additional facilities such as Barnard Hall, the Advanced Manufacturing Lab and numerous Core facilities provide students and faculty with access to cutting-edge tools and instrumentation. In 2026, Gianforte Hall is scheduled to open and will feature two large classrooms and laboratories dedicated to robotics, cybersecurity, augmented and virtual reality, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. A video production studio will be available, as will an audio recording facility. Some of the spaces will be designed to highlight the contributions of computing pioneers Grace Hopper and Alan Turing.
Research within the college addresses critical challenges in cybersecurity, energy, water, infrastructure, materials, data science, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable systems. Faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their research productivity and success in securing competitive funding from federal agencies, foundations, and private industry. In fiscal year 2023, the college’s research expenditures exceeded $24 million demonstrating its significant role in Montana State University’s status as a Carnegie-designated institution of “Very High Research Activity.” MSU has leveraged federal and state funding to lead in smart photonic sensor systems, quantum, and optics technologies. MSU is a key partner in the Headwaters Tech Hub (a regional technology & innovation hub), which received a $41 million grant to accelerate photonic sensing and related technologies. MSU engineering faculty have helped spin off dozens of optics-related companies (many founded by MSU alumni) and licensed MSU -developed inventions in optics and photonics to Montana companies. Several research centers are within the college including MilTech (https://www.montana.edu/miltech/) , the Center for Biofilm Engineering (https://www.biofilm.montana.edu/) and the Western Transportation Institute (https://westerntransportationinstitute.org/) .
Across every discipline in the college, students achieve at high levels. Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering undergraduate students have been regularly recognized with national awards (www.montana.edu/honors/major_scholarship_awards.html), including the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for excellence in math and science, the Udall Scholarship for students intending to pursue careers related to the environment, the Truman Scholarship for leadership and public service, the Boren Scholarship for international study and the Rhodes Scholarship. Awards such as these testify to the high quality of the College and to its genuine concern for students.
Duties and Responsibilities
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES
The Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering seeks a strong and visionary leader who will collaborate with faculty, students, staff, and senior university leadership in addressing the opportunities and challenges facing the college and will lead the college toward the following strategic priorities:
+ Providing effective management, administration, and leadership for the college
The dean will make timely decisions, respond directly to issues of importance, and will ensure the smooth operation of the college, the departments, and affiliated offices. The dean will effectively contribute to and enhance the tripartite land-grant mission of Montana State University.
+ Foster a culture of continuous improvement
The college’s reputation is founded on its unique array of respected and high-quality academic and research programs. The new dean will focus on continual enhancements of faculty-student engagement measures and curriculum streamlining of academic programs to continue advancements of student persistence and degree completion efforts. The dean will work with department heads and the 130 faculty (120.5 FTE ) to enhance the research enterprise, to grow scholarly and creative products, and to broaden the impacts of research on the people and communities of Montana. With that, the dean must also be able to communicate the value of these programs to a broad constituency that includes students, colleagues, and Montana University System administrators. The dean will contribute to MSU’s institutional reputation by helping faculty set and meet the highest standards of teaching and research and will ensure that new faculty hired into the college are dedicated to furthering the three pillars of the tripartite land grant mission.
+ Advocate for interdisciplinary collaborations
Within the college, university and community, there are myriad opportunities for partnerships and collaborations. The dean will work with the administrative team, faculty, and dean colleagues to develop initiatives that benefit all stakeholders.
+ Ensure positive accreditation outcomes
Implicit in the dean’s responsibilities will be to meet and exceed professional accreditation standards in individual programs, as well as overall university accreditation with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
+ Improve student retention and grow enrollment with an emphasis on student success
The dean will lead initiatives and decisions to support steady growth in student enrollments and will champion faculty-student engagement, mentoring, retention, and timely graduation. A particular area of emphasis is the continued growth of graduate student enrollment.
+ Represent the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering
The dean will be an enthusiastic and articulate spokesperson for both NACOE and MSU with internal and external constituencies, while continually advancing the college’s mission and its innovative academic and research programs.
+ Secure external funds in support of the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering
The dean will raise external funds for college initiatives. This will involve intensive planning with the President, Provost and the MSU Foundation, as well as with department heads, faculty, and staff, to establish fundraising priorities, identify potential grants, friends, and donors, and encourage their engagement and support of NACOE initiatives and programs. Through this process, the dean will establish current and future fundraising goals for the college and will monitor its success in meeting those goals.
+ Nurture, celebrate and support the primary responsibilities of faculty in the areas of teaching, research, and scholarship
The dean will articulate the value and role of research and scholarship consistent within the broader context of MSU’s Carnegie Classification of “Very High Research Activity.” The dean will support efforts of faculty to attract external funds for essential research activities. Likewise, the dean will encourage and support faculty efforts to educate students in ways that will allow them to succeed in their academic programs and careers. Moreover, the dean will support professional development of staff and faculty and foster shared governance in the development of college policies and procedures.
+ Contribute to the University’s mission
The dean will advance the strategic direction of Montana State University by serving on the university’s academic leadership team and on university committees under the direction of the Provost and President. The dean’s contribution to MSU’s future will be advanced through engagement with academic governance on the Provost’s Academic Council, university governance on the President’s Leadership Council and the University Council, and through positive interactions with other deans, vice presidents, the executive vice president for academic affairs, and the President.
+ Build a bright future for the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering
To be successful, the dean will be an ethical, compassionate, creative, communicative, energetic, and engaging leader—one who will join forces with the many constituencies of the college to build upon its national and international recognition. Personal integrity and a collegial style are required traits for this position.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
The successful candidate will:
+ Have an earned doctorate from an accredited institution.
+ Have an exemplary record of research/scholarship activities, teaching and service to university and broader communities.
+ Qualify for tenure within an academic unit in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering at the rank of full professor.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS
+ A broad-based record of administrative and scholarly experience in research university settings, with direct supervisory experience for academic units, along with significant budget management experience.
+ A strong ability to communicate effectively as exemplified by the candidate’s writing, speaking and listening skills.
+ Ability to foster teaching, research/scholarship, service, and professional development of faculty in a student-centered environment.
+ Experience with and responsibility for faculty development, faculty performance assessments, and evaluation of promotion and tenure.
+ Demonstrated understanding of and support for the broad range of programs comprising the college and within the unique mission of a land-grant university.
+ Demonstrated experience of leading with sound fiscal management.
+ Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership.
+ Desire to share, support and successfully articulate the President’s/Provost’s vision for the strategic direction and administration of the University.
+ Evidence of commitment to the land grant mission.
The Successful Candidate Will
The Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering’s next dean will possess a combination of professional experiences and personal qualities appropriate to the strategic priorities listed herein. The successful candidate will demonstrate integrity of the highest order, an intellectual curiosity and self-confidence balanced with humility, authenticity of character and a strong work ethic. In seeking its next dean, the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering will give preference to candidates who demonstrate.
+ Leadership skills that include experience in an academic program that offers baccalaureate and graduate degrees.
+ Experience in effective strategic planning and assessment.
+ Experience in dealing with multiple constituencies—internally and externally.
+ An understanding of research and the opportunities for research/scholarship within a broadly diverse college environment.
+ A demonstrable record of developing external resources through fundraising, grants and contracts.
+ A record of positive staff and personnel relations and interactions.
+ A creative and approachable manner that kindles the innovative spirit of others.
+ Evidence of leading transformational change.
+ Demonstrated accomplishments in innovative partnerships.
+ A strong team player in terms of university governance.
+ Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at the university, state and national levels.
+ Demonstrated ability/success in fundraising.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed in this description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program
The Department
The College
https://coe.montana.edu/
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date July 1, 2026
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on January 5, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
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