Dean, College of Engineering & Sciences

REVISED 12/13/2022

Dean

College of Engineering and Sciences

Leadership Profile

Fall 2022

Executive Summary

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites nominations and applications for an exceptional academic leader to serve as the dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences (CES).

The dean will provide innovative, equity-focused, and creative leadership to establish and fulfill a new vision and direction that propels the unit into the next decade by building upon the established reputation, programmatic strengths, and dedication to improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities of Northwest Indiana and beyond. Working with faculty, staff, students, donors, alumni, and college leaders, the dean will actively lead the academic and research activities of the college; ensure an exceptional educational experience; maintain accreditation standards; and foster growth in scholarship.

The dean of CES reports to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The dean provides strategic academic leadership for the college and is responsible for enhancing the core missions of learning, discovery, and engagement. The successful candidate will understand the opportunities and challenges facing public universities in the current higher education landscape and possess the skills, leadership, and vision to advance the College in this complex environment.

The dean will be actively engaged in program development, curricular enhancement, budget planning, resource development, and assessment of student learning. With a combined enrollment of more than 1,400 graduate and undergraduate students, the dean will oversee a budget of approximately $11.4 million. During FY22, PNW moved to an incentive-based budget model that will afford an innovative and entrepreneurial leader the ability to make significant changes in the college. In support of scholarly work, faculty members are actively involved in pursuing external funding. During 2021-22, CES faculty members received external grants totaling about $4.2 million.

Purdue University Northwest is a premier metropolitan-serving university dedicated to empowering transformational change in our students and in our community. Located in Northwest Indiana, near Chicago and the Indiana Dunes National Park, PNW values academic excellence, supports growth, and celebrates diversity. PNW serves approximately 8,900 students, with more than 70 areas of study at the baccalaureate, master’s, and applied doctoral levels.

For information regarding how to apply, submit nominations or inquire about the role, please see the section "Procedure for Candidacy" at the end of this document.

About Purdue University Northwest

Overview

Purdue University Northwest is a premier metropolitan-serving university dedicated to empowering transformational change in our students and in our community. Located in Northwest Indiana, near Chicago and the Indiana Dunes National Park, PNW values academic excellence, supports growth, and celebrates diversity.

PNW serves approximately 8,900 students, with more than 70 areas of study at the baccalaureate, master’s, and applied doctoral levels. Academic programs are offered within six colleges that have operations on two campuses located in Hammond, IN, and Westville, IN:

• College of Business
• College of Engineering and Sciences
• College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
• College of Nursing
• College of Technology
• Honors College

The university is consistently ranked among the best regional universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges report and ranked third for campus ethnic diversity among Midwest public institutions in the most recent report. Its engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity programs have earned national recognition. PNW also is recognized for social mobility among Midwest regional universities. As a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC), the PNW Pride compete in NCAA Division II athletics with more than 400 student-athletes on 20 teams excelling both in the classroom and in competition. Purdue Northwest is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC); 10-year accreditation was recently approved. Several of PNW's engineering undergraduate programs recently earned reaccreditation by ABET, and its technology programs are accredited by various commissions of ABET. The university employs approximately 1,100 faculty and staff.

Mission

Purdue University Northwest transforms students’ lives and its metropolitan region through a diverse campus committed to innovative education, applied research, and community engagement.

Vision

As a premier metropolitan university, Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will power intellectual, cultural, and economic development in northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago metropolitan area, enriching the surrounding community through collaborative partnerships that leverage the university’s expertise to improve people’s lives.

PNW will continue to focus on preparing students to be effective, ethical, and innovative leaders in their careers and communities through enhanced academic programming and integrative, experiential learning.

PNW will support a diverse, talented faculty as they tailor their research and teaching to address the needs of a changing economy and workforce.

PNW’s vibrant student experience, robust campus resources, and engaged alumni community will enhance students’ abilities to form lasting connections with each other and the university.

Core Values

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
• Innovation
• Excellence
• Community

Leadership

Chancellor

Thomas L. Keon, Ph.D., has been the leader of PNW since its inception in 2016 after serving as Chancellor of Purdue University Calumet.

Under Chancellor Keon’s leadership, PNW’s annual impact to the Northwest Indiana regional economy is more than $745 million. According to a recently commissioned third-party economic impact study, the university accounts for 2% of gross regional product and supports one out of every 36 jobs in the region.

Among his many accomplishments, he gained legislative approval of $35 million in state funding for a state-of-the-art bioscience innovation and nursing building (Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building) to advance healthcare education in the region – the first new academic building approval in 20 years for the PNW Hammond campus. Chancellor Keon also led numerous successful campus building and expansion projects, including the Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center, the David Roberts Center for Innovation and Design, the PNW Design Studio-Where Ideas Flow, the White Lodging Professional Selling Lab, the PNW Community Counseling Center, and a new central quad bell tower.

Driving expansion of graduate education, Dr. Keon spearheaded initiatives to develop and implement applied doctoral programs in nursing (DNP launched in 2020), technology (expected to launch in 2022- 23), and psychology (in development) – all critically-needed areas to serve regional workforce demand.

Chancellor Keon has established formal partnerships with many regional non-profit organizations to facilitate their growth and impact, including One Region (tri-county coalition of CEOs of the largest employers in the region), NWI Small Business Development Center, the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest, NWI Food Council, and the Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest. Several of these are now housed at PNW, with university board representation in each.

In 2022, Chancellor Keon was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Eric Holcomb, the highest civilian award in the State of Indiana.

During his 35+-year career in higher education, he has been Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Central Florida (1997-2011), Dean of the College of Business and Administration at Southern Illinois University (1995-97), Associate Dean of the College of Business at Florida Atlantic University (1990-94), Associate Dean of the College of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri in Columbia (1989-90), Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Business at the University of Missouri (1988-90), and Chair of the University of Missouri’s Department of Management (1988-89). Additionally, he has taught at the University of Notre Dame, Michigan State University, and Southern Vermont College.

Dr. Keon holds a baccalaureate degree in accounting from Bentley University, a master’s degree in education from Suffolk University, an MBA from Babson College, and a Ph.D. in management from Michigan State University.

Provost

Kenneth C. Holford is the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. He provides leadership for Purdue Northwest’s six colleges, and the academic programs they offer, as well as grant and research programs, student success and retention efforts, faculty development, institutional effectiveness, and data strategy.

Prior to being named the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in May of 2020, Dr. Holford served as the Dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences after the formation of PNW in 2016. He previously was Dean of the College of Sciences and Chair of the Department of Biology and Chemistry for Purdue University North Central.

Dr. Holford earned a Ph.D. in biology from Illinois State University, a master’s degree in zoology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and a baccalaureate degree in biology from Augustana College.

College of Engineering and Sciences

The College of Engineering and Sciences at Purdue University Northwest graduates students well- prepared for careers in science and engineering disciplines. The College offers a wide variety of opportunities for its students, including the following degree programs:

Undergraduate Majors

• Applied Mathematics and Statistics
• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Integrative Human Health
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Physical Sciences
• Physics

Graduate Majors

• Master of Sciences Biology
• Master of Science Civil Engineering
• Master of Science Computer Engineering
• Master of Science Computer Science
• Master of Science Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Master of Science Electrical Engineering
• Master of Science Interdisciplinary Engineering
• Master of Science Mechanical Engineering

Note: The University’s Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET

The Role of the Dean

The dean of CES reports to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The dean provides strategic academic leadership for the colleges and is responsible for enhancing their core missions of learning, discovery, and engagement.

The successful candidate will understand the opportunities and challenges facing public universities in the current higher education landscape and possess the skills, leadership, and vision to advance the colleges in this complex environment.

The dean will be actively engaged in program development, curricular enhancement, budget planning, resource development, and assessment of student learning. With a combined enrollment of more than 1,400 graduate and undergraduate students, the dean will oversee a combine budget of approximately 11.4 million. During FY22, PNW moved to an incentive- based budget model that will afford an innovative and entrepreneurial leader the ability to make significant changes in the college. In support of scholarly work, faculty members are actively involved in pursuing external funding. During 2021-22, CES faculty members received external grants totaling about $4.2 million.

The academic leadership team reporting directly to the dean currently includes: two associate deans, Director of the School of Engineering, Director of the Center for Crime and Forensics, as well as 6 department chairs (Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Physics, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Mechanical and Civil Engineering). Associated with the college are also four research centers (Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation, PNW Water Institute, Center for High Energy Physics, and Integrative Physiology and Health Sciences Center), as well as one engineering design facility (PNW Design Studio). The dean also works in concert with dedicated staff support in advancement to further the colleges’ culture of philanthropy.

Purdue Northwest has fostered a multifaceted dedication to diversity and inclusion. The university’s undergraduate population, as of fall 2022, is comprised of more than 25% Hispanic students and 56% first-generation college students. The new dean will be expected to take an active role in further enhancing student, staff, and faculty diversity and will help ensure a climate that is supportive of all populations on campus. This is consistent with the university’s mission of creating a "welcoming environment that promotes critical inquiry through experiential learning, faculty scholarship, civic engagement, and community partnerships."

Opportunities and Challenges

The priorities for the next dean include, but are not limited to:

• Work with faculty, staff, and students to shape a new vision for the college that span two campuses while recognizing and celebrating the unique culture and history of the college and campuses.
• Leverage the strengths of the college to offer an enhanced educational experience and more options for the students.
• Advance student support and student engagement initiatives that will continue to improve retention, graduation, and post-graduation outcomes for students.
• Communicate a clear vision of college and its unique attributes to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the development and promotion of faculty within the college.
• Enhance the scholarly activities and research productivity within the college.
• Promote access, diversity, and inclusion across the college.
• Identify new resource opportunities to support the mission and vision of the college.
• Foster existing and new relationships with external stakeholders that will benefit the college and the community.
• Maintain accreditation for currently accredited programs.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should possess the following skills and qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in a discipline appropriate to the college.
• Academic qualifications for appointment at the rank of professor in one of the academic departments of the college.
• Evidence of a student-centered approach to higher education.
• Experience leading and managing faculty and staff in a collaborative and transparent manner.
• Experience effectively managing financial and personnel resources.
• A track record of enhancing the teaching and learning mission of an academic program and improving student outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience enhancing research and scholarly productivity among faculty.
• A demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity among faculty, staff and students.
• An understanding of assessment, potentially including experience with external accreditation bodies at the program level or university level.
• Experience working with external stakeholders, which may include alumni, donors, industry, government, and community partners.
• Experience with resource development.

Nomination and Application Process

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. However, to assure the fullest consideration, applicants are encouraged to have complete applications submitted to the search firm assisting the university by January 4, 2023. Requested application materials should include, as separate documents, a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile and a curriculum vitae. Purdue University Northwest is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including learning, discovery, and engagement. Candidates should address at least one of these areas in their cover letter, indicating their experiences, current interests, or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion. All applications, nominations, and inquires will remain confidential until finalists are identified for campus interviews. References will not be called until after the first screening of applications and then only after the applicant has given explicit permission.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’scandidateportal .Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Ryan Crawford, Darrien Davenport and Jenna Brumleve at PNW- [email protected] .

Purdue University Northwest prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. The University will conduct its programs, services and activities consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders and in conformance with the procedures and limitations as set forth in Purdue’s Equal Opportunity, Equal Access and Affirmative Action policy which provides specific contractual rights and remedies. Additionally, the University promotes the full realization of equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans through its affirmative action program.