Description
Summary:
The University of Illinois Springfield invites applications for the inaugural Director of the School of Applied Engineering at the rank of Visiting Associate Professor or Visiting Professor. The Director will provide academic, strategic, and operational leadership, working to establish a School and launching a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology delivered through a work-based learning model. This visiting leadership role is designed to establish the School's academic, cultural, and partnership foundations and position the program for long-term sustainability and future accreditation. Preferred start date is July or August, 2026.
This is a 12-month full-time on-campus and benefit-eligible non-tenured academic appointment. UIS faculty are expected to be available and engaged in the university community to perform professional responsibilities as assigned.
This is a new academic program. The inaugural director appointment will begin as a visiting faculty position with annual renewals possible for up to three years. As the program is successfully established and benchmarks are met, the university anticipates the opportunity for a tenure system position, subject to institutional review and approval.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Teaching: This visiting position will fill a foundational teaching and leadership gap by providing initial instructional capacity in upper-division applied engineering technology coursework.
Service: Service as Inaugural Director and Unit Executive Officer (UEO) of the School, once established; leadership of faculty recruitment and onboarding; engagement with industry and community college partners; participation in College and University leadership as appropriate.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
- Earned doctorate in engineering, engineering education, engineering technology, or a closely related field by start date
- 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
- Record of successful teaching, scholarly activity, and service that merits appointment at the associate or full professor rank, including demonstrated excellence in teaching at the university level.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience launching new academic programs or academic units
- Experience with work-based learning, cooperative education, or experiential learning models
- Familiarity with ABET accreditation standards
- Experience working with community colleges and transfer pathways
Application deadline: 6/1/2026
12-month salary: $135-165,000 12-month salary with robust benefit package
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, and concept paper (2-3 pages): A strategic concept paper outlining the candidate's approach to launching an engineering program at a public regional university, addressing program design, accreditation, partnerships, and enrollment strategy. 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.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
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, and 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 website at https://www.uis.edu/chst
About Springfield, Illinois: https://www.uis.edu/academic-affairs/about-our-springfield-community/
