Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) invites nominations and applications for an accomplished, creative, values-driven leader with a demonstrated track record of success in leading a high-performing, visionary, and dynamic organization to serve as the next Bernard M. Gordon Dean, School of Engineering. Globally renowned for its long history of project-based learning, impactful invention, and discoveries, the School of Engineering prepares students to collaborate with peers across disciplines to develop innovative and effective solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
The successful candidate will serve as the fourth Dean of WPI’s School of Engineering and will be a key strategic partner to the newly appointed Provost and Senior Vice President, Andrew Sears. The next Dean will have the opportunity to build on the University’s rich history, distinctive educational approach, impactful research and innovation, and highly immersive, inclusive, and innovative campus culture to forge a future that continues to drive WPI’s transformative STEM education and research.
Founded in 1865, WPI is the third oldest engineering and technological university in the United States. WPI stands out as a place where cutting-edge research, innovative education, and informed practice intersect and complement one another to the benefit of students, faculty, staff, and society. The University is a recognized leader for engaging undergraduates in research and a pioneer and global leader in project-based learning; no other university does projects—or global experiences—at WPI’s scale or quality. Through a meaningful combination of theory and practice, every WPI student achieves intellectual breadth through degree requirements and mandatory hands-on projects.
The campus is located on 95 acres atop Boynton Hill in Worcester, Massachusetts, and is home to more than 5,500 undergraduates and 2,000 graduate students who represent 48 states, two U.S. territories, and 103 countries. Approximately 500 faculty and 800 staff support these students, garnering awards for research and scholarship and providing inspirational teaching and mentorship. The University’s location in central Massachusetts provides easy access to corporate and industry internships, research collaborations, and post-graduate career opportunities in Worcester, Boston, and beyond.
The School of Engineering is the University’s largest school and is foundational to WPI’s reputation as a distinctive global leader in project-based STEM education. The School’s 140+ faculty includes 20 NSF CAREER Award recipients. The School has over 3,200 undergraduate students and more than 1,000 graduate students and its offerings from more than a dozen departments and programs include 10 ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, 11 Ph.D. degree programs, as well as minors and certificates. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to adapt to an ever-changing and always-challenging global environment as a result of a broad, deep, and project-based education. Graduates leave WPI with technical expertise and a thoughtful approach to how technology impacts society.
The next Dean will step into leadership at an exciting time. Joining President Grace Wang and Provost Andrew Sears, the Dean will have the opportunity to contribute to a leadership team which is dynamically guiding WPI into the future via the Institute’s Strategic Plan: Lead with Purpose. The next Dean will architect the School’s future vision and strategy, providing a forward-looking path that further elevates WPI Engineering’s role in providing distinctive, transformative engineering education, addressing the world’s grand challenges, and contributing to societal good. Building upon a rich and proven curricular, pedagogical, and innovative history, the Dean will provide thought leadership and strategic focus on exemplary, leading-edge undergraduate and graduate engineering education and high-impact, highly interdisciplinary engineering research. The Dean will lead and partner with faculty and staff in Engineering to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, advance new frontiers, build internal and external partnerships, and open exciting opportunities. The Dean will be a collaborative, transparent, solution-driven, and consensus-building leader. As a member of the Provost’s Council, the next Dean has the opportunity to collaborate with Provost Sears and other senior leaders to shape and advance academic enterprise. They will inspire and support others toward success, be deeply committed to WPI, value diverse lived experiences, and champion interdisciplinary research and teaching.
WittKieffer is assisting Worcester Polytechnic Institute in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received no later than February 12, 2025. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or résumé, and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile available at www.wittkieffer.com.
Application materials, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to: Sandra Chu, Cathryn Davis, and Suzanne Teer at WPIDeanEngineering@wittkieffer.com.
WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. WPI seeks individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity and collaboration, inclusion, problem solving and change making.
