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UNM to conduct national search for dean of engineering

August 4, 2016 - By Kim Delker

University of New Mexico Provost Chaouki Abdallah has announced the launch of the search for a new dean of the School of Engineering, who would hold the title of Jim and Ellen King Dean of Engineering and Computing. 

Julie Coonrod, dean of Graduate Studies and professor of civil engineering, has been appointed chair of the search committee.

The selected candidate will take over leadership of the School from Joseph L. Cecchi, who has held the dean position since 2014 and previously from 2000-2009.

The newly-endowed position — the only endowed deanship at UNM — offers the opportunity for an experienced and energetic visionary to lead the School of Engineering, continuing the efforts in excellence in research and scholarly achievement at national and international levels. The individual will have an articulated vision for the School, as well as demonstrated leadership ability, including excellent communication, negotiation, promotion, and problem-solving skills.

The dean, who reports to the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, is the primary academic and administrative officer of the faculty of the School of Engineering. The dean will assume a central leadership role in continuing development of the School of Engineering’s disciplines toward national and international excellence with a solid commitment to research and teaching. The dean is responsible for advancing and promoting the School in areas of instruction, research, fiscal management, development, and personnel.

The dean manages an annual academic budget of approximately $17 million and the administration of the departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Civil Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; and Nuclear Engineering, as well as oversight of six research centers: the Center for Biomedical Engineering; the Center for Emerging Energy Technologies; COSMIAC, Manufacturing Training and Technology Center, the Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies, and the Center for Water and the Environment. In fiscal year 2016, the School had $32.9 million in total annual research expenditures.

Applications are now being accepted through UNM Jobs.  For best consideration, applications should be submitted by Oct. 3, 2016. Applications will be received until the position is filled. This is a full-time faculty executive position with a preferred start date of July 1, 2017.   

The search committee includes the following members of the UNM and local community:

  • Julie Coonrod, dean, Graduate Studies, and professor, Department of Civil Engineering, search committee chair
  • Dorian Arnold, associate professor, Department of Computer Science
  • Edward David Blandford, assistant professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering
  • John Chavez, president, New Mexico Angels
  • Abhaya Datye, Distinguished Professor and Chair of Chemical and Biological Engineering
  • April Davidson, academic operations officer, School of Engineering
  • Michael Devetsikiotis, chair and professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Daniel Feezell, assistant professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Sang Han, professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, director of Nanoscience and Microsystems program
  • Larry Larrañaga, New Mexico House of Representatives, alumnus
  • Fernando Moreu, assistant professor, Department of Civil Engineering
  • Svetlana Poroseva, associate professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • Wendy Stires, associate vice president of principal giving and regional development, 
UNM Foundation.

For more information on the position, refer to the search website. Questions related to the search should be directed to the search coordinator Jennifer Rose Love at engdeansearch@unm.edu.

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