Associate Professor or Professor and Founding Director, School of Applied Engineering
Posting Category:
Summary: The School will launch with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology that integrates academic instruction with meaningful workplace experience. Through partnerships with employers and community colleges, the School aims to create accessible educational pathways that connect students, industry, and the region’s evolving workforce needs. The Founding Director will play a central role in shaping the School’s academic identity, building its faculty and partnerships, and establishing the systems needed for long-term success. The Director will lead curriculum implementation, faculty recruitment, student pathway development, industry engagement, and planning for ABET accreditation. We seek a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who combines academic credibility with practical engineering experience and a commitment to educational innovation. The successful candidate will be comfortable building new initiatives, working across institutional boundaries, and translating an ambitious vision into a sustainable academic enterprise. This is a full-time, on-campus tenure-system appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, with the potential for a tenure waiver subject to university policies and approval. The position carries a nine-month academic appointment with an administrative stipend for year-round leadership responsibilities. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Strategic Leadership and School Development Academic Innovation and Student Success Industry and Educational Partnerships Teaching, Scholarship, and Service
The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) invites applications for the Founding Director of its planned School of Applied Engineering. This is a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial academic leader to build a new School focused on preparing students for engineering and technology careers through an innovative, work-based learning model.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Provide the vision, leadership, and direction needed to establish and grow the School of Applied Engineering.
Develop and implement a strategic plan that supports academic quality, enrollment growth, financial sustainability, and industry relevance.
Recruit, mentor, and support faculty while building a collaborative and innovative academic culture.
Establish the administrative processes, policies, and resources necessary for effective School operations.
Serve as the School’s Unit Executive Officer (UEO) and represent the School in College and University leadership activities.
Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology.
Advance a work-based learning model that meaningfully integrates academic preparation with applied experience in industry settings.
Work with faculty and partners to ensure curriculum relevance, academic rigor, and alignment with evolving engineering technology practices.
Establish assessment and continuous improvement processes that support student success and progress toward ABET accreditation.
Develop clear educational pathways for transfer students, working professionals, and other students seeking engineering technology careers.
Build and sustain partnerships with employers to support work-based learning, curriculum development, and student career opportunities.
Collaborate with community colleges to develop coordinated transfer pathways and expand access to engineering technology education.
Engage regional industry, economic development organizations, and other stakeholders to align the School’s work with emerging workforce needs.
Identify opportunities for external funding, applied research, and collaborative initiatives that strengthen the School’s mission.
Teach one to two upper-division Engineering Technology courses annually.
Maintain a record of scholarship appropriate to academic rank, with opportunities for contributions in applied engineering, engineering education, industry-engaged research, and work-based learning.
Contribute to the University’s academic mission through service, professional engagement, and institutional leadership.
Minimum Qualifications: Earned doctorate in engineering, engineering education, engineering technology, or a closely related field;
Record of teaching, scholarship, and service sufficient for tenure at the rank of Associate or Full Professor;
Significant applied or professional engineering experience appropriate for engineering technology programs;
Demonstrated academic or organizational leadership experience (e.g., program director, department chair, center director, or comparable role);
Experience with curriculum development and academic assessment;
Ability to build and sustain partnerships with employers and external stakeholders.
Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational leadership skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience establishing or significantly expanding an academic program, department, school, or comparable initiative.
Experience with work-based learning, cooperative education, apprenticeships, or other forms of industry-integrated education.
Experience with ABET accreditation or comparable academic quality assurance processes.
Experience developing community college partnerships, transfer pathways, or programs serving nontraditional students.
Experience securing external funding, developing industry-supported initiatives, or leading applied research partnerships.
Demonstrated success in student recruitment, enrollment growth, or development of new educational markets.
Application deadline: 1/4/2027
Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2027, with an earlier start date negotiable.
Compensation and Appointment: The position offers a nine-month base salary of $135,000–$165,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus an administrative stipend for year-round Director responsibilities.
This is a full-time, on-campus tenure-system academic appointment. UIS tenure-system faculty are expected to be available and engaged in the university community, with assigned professional responsibilities for teaching, scholarship, and service.
Application instructions: Click the "Apply Now" button at the top or bottom of the posting, create or update your profile, complete the online application, and upload current curriculum vita or resume, cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications, leadership philosophy, and interest in this founding role; and a concept paper (2–3 pages): the candidate’s approach to launching the BAS in Engineering Technology through a work-based learning model at a public regional university, addressing program design, the ABET ETAC pathway, employer and community college partnerships, and enrollment. Contact information for professional references will be requested later in the search process. Formal review of applications will begin soon after application deadline and continue until the position is filled or the search is terminated.
About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves approximately 4,000 students in 60 undergraduate programs of study, 41 minors, 44 graduate programs of study, 1 doctorate, 43 graduate certificates, coursework that leads to 8 ISBE endorsements. The academic curriculum offers students a strong liberal arts core, a wide range of professional programs, and close faculty interaction. Making the most of its location in the state capital, UIS is broadly engaged in public policy and service. Its diverse student body includes traditional, non-traditional, and international students. Twenty-five percent of majors are in 17 undergraduate and graduate online degree programs and the campus has received several national awards for its implementation of online learning. UIS faculty are committed teachers, active scholars, and professionals in service to society. The University emphasizes excellence in teaching, and faculty are also expected to provide a balance of scholarship and service activities to meet requirements for tenure and promotion. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at https://www.uis.edu and the college web page at https://uis.edu/chst
About Springfield, Illinois: https://www.uis.edu/academic-affairs/about-our-springfield-community/
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds and identities. The University of Illinois System does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their real or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. Visit University of Illinois Non-Discrimination Statement
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The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
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The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State Universities Retirement System
- You do not pay Social Security taxes and your earnings will not be on your Social Security record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.)
- Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at [email protected] or call 217-206-6652.
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