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Dean, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing
Dean, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and ComputingInsideHigherEd • Statesboro, Georgia, United States
Dean, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing

Dean, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing

InsideHigherEd • Statesboro, Georgia, United States
11 days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Job description

Dean, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing

Position Profile

College

The Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing (AEPCEC) is the second largest of ten colleges that comprise Georgia Southern University. The AEPCEC was established to ensure student success by preparing them for lifelong learning, advancing the engineering and computing disciplines, and supporting regional economic development. This will be accomplished by promoting faculty scholarship and teaching excellence, fostering experiential learning, and partnering with regional stakeholders. Valuing collaboration, academic excellence, discovery and innovation, integrity, openness, and sustainability, AEPCEC prepares the next generation for success.

AEPCEC offers a range of degrees to approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 200 graduate students. The College is comprised of six academic departments, ten undergraduate degrees, and six master’s graduate programs :

Academic Departments :

  • Civil Engineering & Construction
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

11 Undergraduate Degrees :

  • B.S. in Civil Engineering
  • B.S. in Construction
  • B.S. in Construction Engineering
  • B.S. in Computer Science
  • B.S. in Software Science
  • B.S. in Software Engineering
  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering
  • B.S. in Computer Engineering
  • B.S. in Information Technology (IT)
  • B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering
  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

    • Graduate Degrees :

  • Graduate Certificate in Computer Programming
  • M.S. in Manufacturing Engineering
  • M.S. in Civil Engineering
  • M.S. in Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • M.S. in Information Technology
  • M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
  • M.S. in Computer Science
  • Ph.D. in Applied Computing
  • Ph.D. in Engineering

    • The College is currently home to approximately 91 full-time faculty, 4 part-time faculty, and 15 staff dedicated to professionally developing its students and serving the community. The College’s expert faculty investigate, engage, and discover to tackle many of the contemporary challenges in the world today. By partnering with various businesses, industries, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, the AEPCEC creates meaningful and sustainable differences in the communities served by Georgia Southern. Additionally, the College houses three centers and outreach programs for students to have the opportunity to participate in research, work alongside faculty, and increase STEM education access for the community :

    Center for Applied Cyber Education

    The Center for Applied Cyber Education (CACE) is an interdisciplinary center and a leader in cyber education and training. CACE is dedicated to supporting interdisciplinary cyber education that affords student access to curriculum, programs, and industry partnerships that impart the skills and concepts applicable to 21st-century cyber workforce needs. CACE provides faculty and staff expertise in areas such as digital forensics, cyber law, cyber warfare, cyber policy, cryptography, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, healthcare informatics, and data analytics.

    Computational Research Technical Support

    Computational Research Technical Support is a specialized area of IT Services to build and support a comprehensive program to advance computational research at Georgia Southern University. CRTS provides high-performance computing (HPC) systems and similar systems for high throughput and data-intensive computing for AEPCEC faculty and students.

    Regents’ Engineering Pathway (REP) Program

    The Regents’ Engineering Pathway (REP) Program allows students at colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia (USG) to study for two years at their home institution, then transfer to Georgia Southern to complete their engineering degrees.

    For more information about the College, click here.

    Position Summary

    Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer and spokesperson for the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing. The Dean will lead the College through the process of articulating and implementing a new strategic plan that will refine the identity and vision, and strengthen external partnerships to advance academic excellence and nourish community partnerships to promote research, community engagement and economic development.

    The Dean will serve as a strong advocate for the College, its faculty, and its students and work towards strengthening inter-disciplinary efforts within the University and other community partners within the State of Georgia. In addition, the Dean will also promote the College’s outstanding academic reputation both inside and outside the University through interactions with local, regional, national, and worldwide constituencies to further advance the College image globally.

    In their role, the Dean will serve as a dynamic, collegial, and collaborative leader and must be prepared to join an innovative and forward-looking administration dedicated to enhancing the College’s current capabilities and impact within the region. As a result of their rapid growth, Southeast Georgia and Savannah are home to a dynamic economy and expanding industrial infrastructure, and the Dean will be in the unique position to lead the AEPCEC and University’s efforts toward playing a central role in the future growth of the region and the state of Georgia. As its most ardent champion, the Dean must tirelessly endeavor to strengthen an organization committed to its mission to prepare students to be productive citizens and contributing members of an ever-changing and complex society.

    Opportunities and Challenges

    The Dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing will have the opportunity to lead a vibrant organization that is committed to serving communities locally, regionally, and statewide. The Dean will have a strong history of leadership in teaching, research, and service. In leading the college, the Dean must provide direction in the following areas :

  • Developing an Inspiring Vision for the Future – The new Dean will play a critical leadership role in developing an audacious, exciting new vision for the future of the AEPCEC. In partnership with a dedicated faculty, staff, and student community on all campuses and highly engaged external partners, the Dean will lead efforts to identify ways to utilize the College’s teaching, research, and outreach strengths to increase its impact within and outside of the University. As a prominent figure within the region and on campus, the Dean must be a pioneer and engaging leader prepared to work with the AEPCEC’s stakeholders to establish a vision for excellence that balances its long standing commitments to high-quality teaching, scholarly excellence, career readiness, and exemplary service to the communities it serves.
  • Securing New Resources – The AEPCEC community is driven by their high aspirations for the future, and the Dean will be responsible for leading efforts to secure additional financial support in a highly competitive higher education environment. The Dean must be a strategic and entrepreneurial leader who will partner with key internal and external stakeholders to create new revenue streams related to research, academic offerings, community partnerships, economic development, and philanthropic activity to fund initiatives that will ensure AEPCEC’s continued success and its upward trajectory.
  • Supporting Student Success – The AEPCEC is dedicated to and passionate about student success. The incoming Dean will work diligently to meet the needs of AEPCEC students in achieving their educational, career, and life goals. In their role, the Dean will guide the development of strategies to ensure the student body's growth and the retention and successful graduation of AEPCEC students while further improving the academic services and resources available to them. The undergraduate and graduate student experience must be a priority in future program development, including promoting excellence in teaching, undergraduate student access to research, and career readiness.
  • Enhancing Interdisciplinary Research and Partnerships – The next Dean will step into an organization that is well-poised to build upon existing strengths and identify new areas for enhancing academic / research partnerships within the University. The Dean will serve as the College’s champion in communicating across academic units and serve as a catalyst for new interdisciplinary research and collaborative opportunities—inspiring open communication between internal and external partners to capitalize on the University’s many strengths to raise the College’s profile and impact in the region.
  • Supporting Faculty Recruitment and Development – The Dean of the AEPCEC will lead the College’s efforts at developing new and strengthening existing strategies for enhancing faculty recruitment, development, and retention. By employing a collegial, transparent, and collaborative leadership style, the Dean will contribute significantly to fostering an environment that not only brings stability to the academic units in the College but also attracts highly dedicated and impactful scholars and researchers, supports their professional and intellectual growth, and ensures they remain vibrant and productive members of the Georgia Southern community.
  • Supporting the Professional Development of Staff – The AEPCEC’s dedicated staff are among its greatest strengths as they bring energy, innovation, and a passion for supporting students to their respective roles. The Dean will also work closely with staff across all AEPCEC units to foster an environment that promotes mentorship and professional development while securing and investing the resources necessary to support their further development individually and as a key stakeholder group within the AEPCEC community.
  • Community Engagement – The AEPCEC and its faculty and staff have earned the respect of community stakeholders within the region through active partnership and engagement. The incoming Dean will build upon these interactions by identifying new relationships and enhancing existing collaborations between key internal and external stakeholders. The Dean must lead the effort to leverage the College’s work and reputation, its faculty and staff knowledge, and its partnerships with regional business and community leaders to create a coalition dedicated to student success, academic excellence, and economic impact. Ultimately, the Dean must be prepared to serve as a catalyst in strengthening bonds that will result in applied learning opportunities for students, as well as in opening new doors for internships and pathways to employment.

    • Qualities and Characteristics

    The successful candidate should possess the following qualities and characteristics :

  • A passion for the mission of the College and the commitment to serving its students, faculty, and staff.
  • Experience building and developing industrial and various external partnerships to enhance student education and community growth.
  • Exceptional leadership skills coupled with the ability to inspire faculty to achieve higher research and academic excellence levels.
  • Ability to enhance the visibility and reputation of the College locally, regionally, and nationally.
  • The desire and skill to serve as the internal and external face of the College.
  • A transparent and approachable leadership style with the ability to serve as a highly visible leader across campuses.
  • The ability to communicate effectively to build and enhance relationships with the staff, community, and various stakeholders.
  • Capacity to serve as an advocate on behalf of the College when engaging with University stakeholders and industrial partners.
  • Experience promoting interdisciplinary collaboration within the College and among Colleges’ throughout the University.
  • Demonstrated track-record of mentoring and developing faculty, staff, and students to fulfill their potential.
  • Expertise in guiding an organization through a growth period.
  • Background in community engagement, including cultivating partnerships with nonprofit organizations, industry leaders, alums, etc.
  • The ability to effectively manage the human and financial resources of the College while respecting the role shared governance plays in the decision-making process.
  • Experience with garnering and maintaining necessary external accreditations (e.g. ABET, ACEE) relevant to the College.

    • Qualifications

    Georgia Southern seeks a Dean with exemplary academic leadership skills. The successful candidate must possess an earned doctorate in a related field from an accredited institution as well as an outstanding record of scholarly achievement commensurate with appointment as a Full Professor with tenure in one of the departments within the College. The candidate must also possess a strong sense of professional ethics and demonstrated success as an innovative administrator. Additionally, it is preferred that the successful candidate possess the following :

  • A record of distinguished research, teaching, and scholarly activities.
  • Administrative and / or leadership experience in a university setting.
  • Experience working with faculty to develop a vision and plans for the future in an environment of shared governance.
  • Desire to function well as part of the campus leadership team.
  • The ability to think strategically and collaboratively.
  • Capacity to listen carefully and communicate effectively and with integrity to inspire confidence and enhance relationships with the staff, community, and various campus constituent groups.
  • Demonstrated success in recruiting, retaining, and mentoring talented and nationally meritorious faculty and staff.
  • The energy and vigor to translate ideas into action.
  • The ability to inspire faculty to excel in teaching, research, and creative activities and to reward excellence in these areas.
  • Expertise in developing and implementing student success initiatives.
  • Experience with accreditation and re-accreditation of programs.
  • Deep knowledge and experience in building and cultivating industrial partnerships.
  • A track record of success in fundraising and securing private support from donors.
  • History of success in leading transparently through innovative organizational change.
  • Experience working in a multi-campus environment and addressing stakeholder needs across the organization.
  • Authorization to work in the United States for the duration of employment without assistance from the institution.

    • University

    Georgia Southern University is the state’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta. With nearly 150 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern has been designated a Carnegie Doctoral / R2 “high research” university and serves more than 29,500 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico as well as 106 nations.

    With three vibrant campuses — the Statesboro Campus, the Armstrong Campus in Savannah and the Liberty Campus in Hinesville — Georgia Southern offers a dynamic environment which encourages learning, discovery and personal growth. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has earned special accreditation from professional and academic associations that set standards in their fields.

    Georgia Southern is an influencer and intellectual catalyst in southeast Georgia, a rapidly expanding region that is home to international companies such as Hyundai, Gulfstream and JCB, as well as the Port of Savannah and Georgia Ports Authority. With a focus on hands-on learning, Georgia Southern is supporting the demand for highly skilled workers by providing academic excellence and creative innovation in a supportive student-centered environment that empowers the next generation of leaders to succeed.

    Beyond an ideal location, there is a place for you to work in an exciting environment abounding with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Named one of the Best U.S. Colleges by The Wall Street Journal, Georgia Southern is nationally ranked for the caliber of its programs and services. Georgia Southern University has been recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Best-In-State Employers” for 2025.

    Application Process

    The Dean Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete resume / CV, and references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the university. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted before Friday, January 30, 2026. For more information, please contact Parker Executive Search :

    Porsha Williams, Vice President

    Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal

    Jack McGrew, Associate

    Parker Executive Search

    Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328

    pwilliams@parkersearch.com || janderson@parkersearch.com || jmcgrew@parkersearch.com

    (678) 775-4564

    Georgia Southern University provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the America with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources : (912) 478-6947.

    The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https : / / www.usg.edu / policymanual / section8 / C224 / #p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

    Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https : / / www.usg.edu / policymanual / section6 / C2653 .

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