Dean, Pigman College of Engineering

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job Title
Dean, Pigman College of Engineering

Requisition Number
FE05087

Working Title
Dean

Department Name
89000:Provost

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Type of Position
Faculty

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Tenure Track Status
Tenure Track

Required Education

Ph.D. in an appropriate field of study .

Required Related Experience

• A deep understanding of both research and practice aspects of academic engineering.
• Nationally and internationally recognized achievements.
• Progressive and broad leadership experience demonstrated through senior-level academic administrative roles or through equivalent leadership experience in industry, research, clinical, governmental or professional environments, reflecting the ability to lead complex organizations and advance strategic goals.
• Evidence of innovation in teaching, learning and educational engagement, with demonstrated experience supporting undergraduate, professional, graduate and/or other learner populations, and a record of excellence of impact.
• Distinguished record of scholarship, innovation and impact, demonstrated through extramural funding, publications, program development, policy influence, translational work or other recognized contributions to the field.
• Ability to build partnerships and collaborate with external stakeholders, government agencies and engineering partners to support the tri-partite mission of teaching, research and service.

Required License/Registration/Certification

N/A

Job Summary

The dean of the Pigman College of Engineering serves as the college's chief academic officer, chief administrative officer and primary spokesperson. The dean reports directly to the provost and provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for the college's academic departments, programs and initiatives within a complex fiscal environment. The dean is responsible for advancing the college's academic, research and community engagement missions, ensuring excellence across all areas and positioning the college to anticipate and respond to emerging challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of engineering disciplines.

With a demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence, research productivity, innovation and service, the dean will bring a record of distinction and national and international recognition and will be capable of enhancing the visibility, influence and prestige of the Pigman College of Engineering.

• Provide visionary leadership to build and sustain critical partnerships within and beyond the university that advances the college's academic and research impact.
• Identify and establish fundraising priorities and provide leadership for alumni engagement and assist in the alumni activities of the college's departments, in conjunction with the UK Alumni Association and other university units.
• Strategically allocate college resources, including faculty, staff, financial resources, space and equipment.
• Lead the development and implementation of a strategy that substantially increases extramural funded research, interdisciplinary research and national research prominence, in conjunction with the vice president for research.
• Serve as a chief administrative officer for the college, reporting directly to the provost. Meet regularly with the provost, members of the Office of the Provost and with other deans for collaborative discussions.
• Appoint faculty and staff to appropriate committees in consultation with appropriate shared governance bodies.
• Consult on risk management issues (e.g., FERPA, sexual harassment, discrimination, etc.).
• Foster an environment of shared governance by building relationships with all campus communities while shepherding a culture of collaboration.
• Support the recruitment of faculty members in the academic schools and departments to ensure the continued excellence of instruction and scholarly effort in the Pigman College of Engineering.
• Support recruitment events for prospective students.
• Make recommendations on appointments, reappointments, terminal appointments, decisions not to reappoint, post-retirement appointments, promotions, granting of tenure, salaries and salary changes for members of the college or for ultimate action thereon when the president or provost has delegated such authority.
• Conduct periodic reviews of academic units relative to their missions, administration and finances and make recommendations for improving their performance as outlined in the Administrative Regulations. Support programmatic accreditation processes in conjunction with the academic units' leaders.
• Partner, participate in planning and develop public relations and marketing activities with the university central units and in ways that support and align with the institution's mission and strategic plan.
• Assume other duties and responsibilities as may be requested by the provost.

The next dean of the Pigman College of Engineering will assume an exceptional leadership role, guiding one of the university's premier academic units. In this capacity, the dean will focus on advancing the college's strategic priorities, with particular attention given to the following leadership goals:

• Articulating and implementing a strategic plan to support the mission of the college and the university.
• In alignment with the university's strategic plan, engaging faculty, staff, students and partners to develop clear strategic priorities to move the college forward. This includes developing future leaders of the engineering workforce, advancing innovation and practice and serving as a connector with engineering partners across Kentucky, the nation and the world.
• Leveraging community engagement and team science to promote research growth.
• Further developing and maintaining essential partnerships.
• Representing the college and improving its visibility across all involved in advancement opportunities.
• As a key leader within the university, playing a key role in fundraising and advancement opportunities. The need to raise money will remain constant, requiring dedicated and strategic time from the dean. Fundraising efforts will include working with the university's Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement in formulating and implementing a philanthropic and development strategy that supports the college's research, education, scholarship, capital and long-term needs.
• Ensuring integrity, effectiveness and compliance with the university and Pigman College of Engineering policies relating to student selection and admission, education programs and student support services and programs.

Isaacson, Miller is assisting the University of Kentucky in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Inquiries, nominations and application materials should be directed to Melissa DePretto-Behan from Isaacson, Miller. Application materials should include:

• A letter of interest that clearly addresses how the applicant meets the required and, where appropriate, preferred qualifications for the position
• A current résumé/curriculum vitae

We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by Jan. 15, 2027.

Please direct inquiries, nominations and application materials to:

• Melissa DePretto-Behan, Senior Associate, mdeprettobehan@imsearch.com

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website:

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-kentucky-stanley-and-karen-pigman-college-engineering/dean

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

The successful candidate will be an experienced, entrepreneurial and collaborative leader with a deep appreciation for both the scholarly and practical significance of the disciplines and professions represented within the Pigman College of Engineering. The dean will be dedicated to advancing and promoting the college as a premier gateway to engineering education. In partnership with the university's Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, the dean will develop and implement a comprehensive philanthropic and development strategy that supports the college's research, educational, scholarly, capital, and long-term priorities.

The dean will recruit, retain and inspire a dynamic community of students, faculty and staff, fostering excellence across all dimensions of the college's mission. The dean will cultivate strong professional and interpersonal relationships within the college and extend these connections externally to strengthen the college's network and influence. The dean will also lead initiatives to enhance the college's national and international visibility, reputation and impact.

• Views the dean position as an opportunity to serve and inspire all Pigman College of Engineering stakeholders.
• Capacity to lead strategic decision-making processes and to organize the execution of plans while inspiring consensus, using good judgment, advancing students, faculty and staff and adjust to fresh thinking and situational shifts.
• Nurtures the professional growth and success of Pigman College of Engineering leadership, faculty, staff and students.
• Possesses an energetic, well-grounded and success-oriented personality driven by a desire to help others. Shows initiative and self-discipline, with confidence and charisma to lead, encourage and empower others.
• Promotes a process of engaged decision-making in which authority and accountability are delegated in alignment with a shared strategic direction. Seeks feedback and appropriately acknowledges the contributions of team members.
• Ability to build a collaborative culture with an open and accessible leadership and communication style.
• Successfully leads multiple competing priorities and divergent viewpoints.
• Executes complex decisions that align with university policies based on the university principle of shared governance.
• Models a strong moral compass with unquestionable integrity and high professional standards.
• Supports the well-being of college stakeholders through transparent leadership, accessibility and respectful workplace practices.
• Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate complex or technical information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Values collaborative engagement and actively seeks opportunities to connect with a broad range of institutional and external partners to support the college's mission.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

• A successful leadership record demonstrating the capacity to manage and advance a college or comparable complex organization.
• An ability to develop and fulfill the college's land-grant mission by building a shared collaborative vision.
• A strong record of research and scholarly or professional accomplishment with national and international stature and ability to cultivate and extend the college's research agenda.
• A demonstrable commitment to leadership that advances all members of the college community, with skills in communicating, collaborating with and supporting all disciplines.
• A demonstrated commitment to excellence through research, instruction, advising and service to the institution and field.
• Possess an innovative and forward-thinking leadership approach to elevate the college's academic and research profile within the evolving fields of engineering.
• Experience cultivating and successfully garnering support from individual donors, foundations and corporations.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts and building long-term relationships with philanthropic partners.
• Ability to foster external partnerships and develop collaborations with state legislators and other constituency groups.
• Commitment to ensuring effective student recruitment and successful activities to stimulate the college's enrollment growth.
• Experience in leading and organizing accreditation activities in support of academic units.
• Experience leading a broad range of academic units across multiple disciplines.
• Ability to plan strategically for the college's sustainable fiscal future, growth of research and graduate programs and continued capacity and quality of facilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering institutional engagement and collaboration across faculty, staff and students.
• A commitment to working with staff and faculty to attract and retain promising early career and experienced individuals.
• Effective communication skills with a commitment to transparency, collaboration and shared decision-making.

Deadline to Apply

Open Until Filled
Yes