Category: Faculty Subscribe: RSS Job Feed Department: School-Engineering & Apl. Sciences Locations: Bowling Green, KY Posted: Oct 13, 2025 Closes: Open Until Filled Type: Full-time Ref. No.: 999256 Position ID: 193812 Share About Western Kentucky University:

Thank you for considering Western Kentucky University in your search. Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the third largest public four-year institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 16,293 students and nearly 2,612 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our ever-evolving communities.

Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about.

Job Description:

The Ogden College of Science and Engineering (OCSE) at Western Kentucky University (WKU) seeks a dynamic and experienced individual as Director for its School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) (https://www.wku.edu/seas/). The Director, reporting to the Dean of the College, serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of SEAS with responsibility for planning, management, and quality of the school's research and academic programs. The School has the same hierarchical level as a department and the position of Director is at the level of a department chair, with the primary difference from other OCSE departments being the size of the unit. SEAS prides itself on curricula built around project-based learning and other experiential learning elements. It benefits from a formal industrial partnership program that offers multiple internship opportunities to students. The School possesses a robust option of academic programs ranging from Architectural and Computer Sciences to Engineering, Engineering Tech, and Construction Management. The School views itself as a key element in WKU's status as an emerging research university. As the fastest growing academic unit in the College, SEAS is piloting an internal reorganization; the Director will help lead the reorganization based on results of the current pilot. Responsibilities of the Director also include: Foster a team environment within the School, College, and University in supervising faculty and staff across multiple disciplines. Draw upon prior administrative or leadership experience to build consensus, balance resources, mediate differences, and maintain program quality across all disciplines of SEAS. Manage the School's budget and financial resources effectively by pursuing external funding opportunities through grants, industry partnerships, and research collaborations. Oversee course scheduling and curriculum management with the vision to design and implement new academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels, while also ensuring alignment with accreditation requirements. Perform faculty and staff evaluations and merit reviews. Support student recruitment and retention by expanding enrollment, strengthening student success, and enhancing experiential learning opportunities in collaboration with industry partners. Participate in college and university service activities, as well as various activities associated with industry and professional organizations. Foster interdisciplinary collaboration with other academic units and strengthen the School's role as a key contributor to the College's and University's mission. Promote and support access to cutting-edge technological resources for teaching and research. Teach an average of 3 credit hours per semester while serving as a role model for high-quality instruction that incorporates accreditation standards, innovative pedagogy, and a student-centered learning approach.

Requirements:

An earned doctorate or Ph.D. degree in one of the disciplines represented in the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, or a closely related discipline, from an accredited institution. Hold current rank of tenured Associate or Full Professor at an accredited institution. Demonstrated managerial experience (examples could include experience managing research centers, grants, academic programs, etc.). Excellent written and oral communication skills.