The Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin is large, diverse, and intellectually rich. The Dean is the Chief Academic and Administrative Officer of the Cockrell School. As head of this enterprise, the Dean must be an outstanding scholar, an inspiring leader, an effective manager, and a tireless advocate for the Cockrell School.
The Cockrell School comprises seven academic departments with over 5,100 undergraduate students, 2,100 graduate students, 255 professorial faculty and 650 staff. There are 19 research centers and 6 affiliated research units identified with the Cockrell School. External funding through grants and contracts exceeds $90 million annually. The total endowment within the Cockrell School is $375 million, including 55 endowed chairs, 76 professorships and 72 faculty fellowships. Thirty-two faculty are active members of the NAE.
Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation
The Dean defines and communicates the vision and manages the plan for leading the Cockrell School of Engineering to the highest levels of excellence in its mission of teaching, research, and service.
The Dean manages and distributes assets and resources in support of the strategic plan, and works with internal and external stakeholders to increase resources available to the Cockrell School. The Dean also works collaboratively with Department Chairs to identify department-specific initiatives and leverage existing strengths to maximize the global, national, and regional impact of the Cockrell School.
Recruiting and Retention
The Dean must be committed to recruiting, retaining and nurturing excellent faculty, students, and staff. The Dean communicates the vision and mission of the Cockrell School to all prospective faculty members, and provides the level of start-up funding and salary required to attract the best faculty candidates. The Dean is encouraged to develop new initiatives to increase the number of faculty, and thereby enhance the research and teaching portfolio of the Cockrell School.
The Dean provides resources to recruit the best undergraduate and graduate students to the Cockrell School. The Dean also sets the recruiting goals for targeted populations that best align with the strategic plan. The Dean meets with prospective undergraduate students and their families to discuss the benefits of attending the University of Texas.
Internal Advocate
Within the University of Texas at Austin, sixteen deans report to the Provost, Dr. Steven Leslie. The Dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering is the primary advocate for the School in dealing with the University administration. The Dean must highlight the successes of the Cockrell School, the importance of engineering as a profession, and the resources needed by the Cockrell School to achieve its goals.
External Stakeholder Relationships
Approximately 49,000 graduates of the University of Texas at Austin are alumni of the Cockrell School of Engineering. The alumni are critical to the success of the School. The Dean must engage this group to increase their support of initiatives within the School and outreach activities.
The External Advisory Board for the Cockrell School comprises highly accomplished industrial leaders, who contribute their time and resources to promoting the School. The Dean must focus the attention of the External Advisory Board on the specific problems that are best handled by a group of this caliber and range of skills.
The city of Austin is nationally known to be an economically dynamic city with a strong high-technology base. The Dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering is frequently called upon by local corporate and technological leaders to assist in defining and planning for the technological future of Austin.
In all external interactions, the Dean must be enthusiastic about raising funds to support various initiatives within the Cockrell School.
Management
The Dean manages a support staff of 125 people. Four Associate Deans (Academic Affairs, College and Alumni Relations, Research and Student Affairs) report to the Dean and supervise the majority of the staff. Programs and offices include continuing education, accreditation, career assistance, cooperative education, study abroad, and information technology. The Dean works with the Associate Deans to manage the complex financial enterprise and implement mission of the Cockrell School of Engineering.
Applications and nominations should be submitted electronically to ut-cockrell@russellreynolds.com. Candidates should submit a cover letter highlighting relevant areas of experience, a curriculum vita, and three names of individuals familiar with the candidate's qualifications. Confidentiality will be maintained. The review of nominations and applications begin on March 22, 2008 and continue until the position is filled.
