Dean - School of Engineering

Dean, School of Engineering, The Citadel

The Citadel invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the School of Engineering, who also holds the Col. Louis S. Le Tellier Chair in Engineering. Candidates must hold an earned doctorate and demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing education and scholarship at a student-centered college.

Founded in 1842, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, is a coeducational, state-assisted college dedicated to excellence in educating principled leaders. Total enrollment is approximately 3,900 students, including approximately 2,400 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets and students enrolled in graduate, evening undergraduate, College Transfer Program (CTP), and online offerings. In the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, The Citadel is ranked No. 1 among Regional Universities in the South for the second consecutive year, No. 1 among Public Regional Universities in the South for the 15th consecutive year, and No. 1 among Best Colleges for Veterans in the South for the eighth consecutive year. The Citadel also ranks No. 14 nationally for Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs at institutions where a doctorate is not offered.

The nationally ranked School of Engineering offers five ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering programs: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Engineering, Construction Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The School also offers four Master of Science degree programs in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Project Management (GAC accredited). These programs are supported by 33 full-time faculty members and seven staff members, with 21 adjunct faculty members providing additional instructional support. The School enrolls 665 students: 565 undergraduates across its five bachelor's degree programs, including 80 students in the College Transfer Program, and 100 graduate students across its four Master of Science degree programs. This is an exciting period for the School of Engineering, with construction beginning on a 106,000-square-foot facility scheduled to open in 2029.

The Dean oversees the School's daily operations and coordinates, supports, and advances a broad range of educational and scholarly activities through collaborative, empowering, and relationship-centered leadership. The Citadel seeks a proven leader with a distinguished academic record and substantial administrative and leadership experience. The Dean will also lead the School's fundraising and development efforts in close partnership with The Citadel Foundation staff and the School's Advisory Board. The successful candidate must work effectively and collaboratively with faculty across all of the College's academic units and remain committed to excellent teaching, high-quality scholarly activity, and professional development in a student-centered environment.

Required qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in a discipline represented in the School or in a closely related field.
• Demonstrated excellence in the scholarship of teaching and learning, classroom instruction, research, and scholarly work sufficient to qualify for appointment as a tenured full professor in one of The Citadel's academic departments.
• A record of progressively responsible and effective administrative experience in higher education, including planning, resource development, budgeting, and faculty development.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in recruiting, retaining, and developing students and faculty.
• Evidence of excellent communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong collaborations and relationships with internal and external constituencies.
• A proven record of effectively administering ABET accreditation and assessment processes.
• A proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively with faculty through shared governance, together with a commitment to educational excellence and meaningful service consistent with The Citadel's mission and core values.

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated success as an outstanding fundraiser with college alumni and friends, industry, and government.
• Demonstrated ability to secure external resources through grants, contracts, and gifts.
• Professional registration.
• A proven record of effectively administering GAC accreditation and assessment processes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop or increase enrollment in graduate or online programs.
• Demonstrated involvement in engineering education through ASEE, IEEE, ASME, ASCE, or comparable professional organizations.

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with credentials and experience. Applications should include a statement of educational philosophy and leadership style, a curriculum vitae, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three references. Review of applications will begin September 30, 2026, and continue until an appointment is made.

Questions regarding this position may be directed to Dr. Darin Zimmerman, Dean of the Swain Family School of Science and Mathematics and Chair of the Search Committee.