Dean, College of Business and Engineering

Wilkes University invites applicants for the next Dean of the College of Business and Engineering. Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean serves as the College's chief academic, administrative, and fiscal officer, providing strategic leadership for the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, the School of Engineering, and the Department of Aerospace Studies. This full-time, 12-month administrative appointment carries faculty rank, with an anticipated start date of July 2027.

The Dean will foster a unified, collaborative college culture while respecting the distinct strengths and accreditation requirements of business and engineering. Major responsibilities include advancing academic quality and interdisciplinary programs; maintaining AACSB and ABET accreditation; recruiting, mentoring, and supporting faculty and staff; overseeing budgets and resources; and strengthening enrollment, student success, and experiential learning. The Dean will also lead fundraising and cultivate alumni, industry, and community partnerships that expand opportunities for students, support research and innovation, and contribute to regional economic development.

Candidates must hold an earned doctorate in business, engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution and demonstrate a record of teaching, scholarship, and service that merits appointment as a tenured full professor in a College department. At least five years of progressively responsible academic leadership, direct experience with AACSB or ABET accreditation reviews and self-studies, and experience managing budgets, personnel, and strategic planning in higher education are required.

The successful candidate will bring a collaborative, transparent leadership style; excellent communication and relationship-building skills; sound judgment; and a commitment to student success, faculty development, and an inclusive learning environment. Preferred qualifications include multidisciplinary leadership, experience with both AACSB and ABET, and demonstrated success in fundraising, external partnerships, interdisciplinary program development, and enrollment growth.

About Wilkes University

Wilkes University is an independent, comprehensive university dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts, sciences, and selected professional programs. The University has approximately 2,000 students at the undergraduate level and over 1,500 full time equivalent students at the graduate and first professional levels.

Its institutional focus is on developing strong mentoring relationships with each of its students and contributing vitally to economic development of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The University is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a revitalized city that is located on the lovely Susquehanna River and is within two and one-half hours driving distance of New York City and Philadelphia.

Application Information

To apply, visit Wilkes University Careers. Please be sure to include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae and three references.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wilkes University is constantly seeking to become a more diverse community and to enhance its capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings. The University strongly encourages applications from persons with diverse backgrounds. Wilkes University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

Employment at Wilkes is contingent upon the results of a thorough background screening. PA Act 153 requires that persons working in positions with regular and unsupervised contact with minors complete additional clearances, including FBI fingerprinting and PA criminal and child abuse clearances.