Dean, School of Engineering

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 University’s largest school, the School of Engineering, is foundational to WPI’s reputation as a distinctive global leader in project-based STEM education. The School has over 3,200 undergraduate students and more than 1,000 graduate students, offering programs from more than a dozen departments, including 10 ABET-accredited bachelor’s degrees, 24 master’s degrees, and 11 Ph.D. programs, along with minors and certificates.

Students gain the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to adapt to an ever-changing global environment through a broad, deep, and project-based education. Graduates leave WPI with technical expertise and a thoughtful understanding of how technology impacts society.

The next Dean will lead at an exciting time, contributing to WPI’s future via collaborative leadership with the Provost and senior leaders. They will architect the School's strategic vision, elevating WPI Engineering’s role in providing transformative education, addressing grand societal challenges, and fostering interdisciplinary research. The Dean will lead faculty and staff to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, build partnerships, and create new opportunities. They should be a collaborative, transparent, solution-oriented, and consensus-building leader committed to diversity, inclusion, and interdisciplinary research and teaching.

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer actively seeking to increase diversity in its workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. The university values diverse backgrounds and experiences that contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, innovation, and high performance. It is committed to maintaining a campus free of harassment and discrimination.