Dean, College Of Engineering

Dean, Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering

Montana State University invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Dean of the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. Faculty and staff in the college embrace Montana State's land-grant mission and excel in teaching, research, and service that address the technological and scientific challenges of our time.

The Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering (NACOE) at Montana State University is home to more than 3,350 students and a vibrant community of faculty and staff dedicated to advancing engineering education, research, and innovation. The college offers a broad range of accredited undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for successful, high-impact careers in fields that drive the nation's economy, including mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, industrial, computer, environmental and biological engineering, as well as computer science and construction management, with NACOE conferring 697 degrees in 2024-25.

Montana State University's Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs are also housed in the college, supporting students in earning an academic degree as they prepare to serve in the US military. NACOE graduates are highly sought after by employers across the state, region, and nation. Nearly all graduates secure employment or pursue advanced degrees within months of graduation, reflecting the college's strong reputation and close partnerships with industry leaders, government agencies and national laboratories.

The college's advisory boards, internship programs, and world-renowned research centers ensure that its academic programs remain closely aligned with the needs of today's engineering and technology workforce. The college is housed in some of the most advanced engineering and research facilities in the Rocky Mountain region. The recently completed Norm Asbjornson Hall integrates classrooms, design studios, research laboratories and collaborative learning spaces that promote teamwork, creativity, and the practical application of engineering principles. Additional facilities such as Barnard Hall, the Advanced Manufacturing Lab and numerous Core facilities provide students and faculty with access to cutting-edge tools and instrumentation.

In 2026, Gianforte Hall is scheduled to open and will feature two large classrooms and laboratories dedicated to robotics, cybersecurity, augmented and virtual reality, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. A video production studio will be available, as will an audio recording facility. Some of the spaces will be designed to highlight the contributions of computing pioneers Grace Hopper and Alan Turing.

Research within the college addresses critical challenges in cybersecurity, energy, water, infrastructure, materials, data science, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable systems. Faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their research productivity and success in securing competitive funding from federal agencies, foundations, and private industry. In fiscal year 2023, the college's research expenditures exceeded $24 million demonstrating its significant role in Montana State University's status as a Carnegie-designated institution of "Very High Research Activity."

MSU has leveraged federal and state funding to lead in smart photonic sensor systems, quantum, and optics technologies. MSU is a key partner in the Headwaters Tech Hub (a regional technology & innovation hub), which received a $41 million grant to accelerate photonic sensing and related technologies. MSU engineering faculty have helped spin off dozens of optics-related companies (many founded by MSU alumni) and licensed MSU-developed inventions in optics and photonics to Montana companies.

Several research centers are within the college including MilTech, the Center for Biofilm Engineering and the Western Transportation Institute. Across every discipline in the college, students achieve at high levels. Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering undergraduate students have been regularly recognized with national awards, including the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for excellence in math and science, the Udall Scholarship for students intending to pursue careers related to the environment, the Truman Scholarship for leadership and public service, the Boren Scholarship for international study and the Rhodes Scholarship.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering seeks a strong and visionary leader who will collaborate with faculty, students, staff, and senior university leadership in addressing the opportunities and challenges facing the college and will lead the college toward the following strategic priorities:

• Providing effective management, administration, and leadership for the college
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement
• Advocate for interdisciplinary collaborations
• Ensure positive accreditation outcomes
• Improve student retention and grow enrollment with an emphasis on student success
• Represent the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering
• Secure external funds in support of the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering
• Nurture, celebrate and support the primary responsibilities of faculty in the areas of teaching, research, and scholarship
• Contribute to the University's mission
• Build a bright future for the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

The successful candidate will:

• Have an earned doctorate from an accredited institution.
• Have an exemplary record of research/scholarship activities, teaching and service to university and broader communities.
• Qualify for tenure within an academic unit in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering at the rank of full professor.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Essential qualifications and leadership characteristics include:

• A broad-based record of administrative and scholarly experience in research university settings, with direct supervisory experience for academic units, along with significant budget management experience.
• A strong ability to communicate effectively as exemplified by the candidate's writing, speaking and listening skills.
• Ability to foster teaching, research/scholarship, service, and professional development of faculty in a student-centered environment.
• Experience with and responsibility for faculty development, faculty performance assessments, and evaluation of promotion and tenure.
• Demonstrated understanding of and support for the broad range of programs comprising the college and within the unique mission of a land-grant university.
• Demonstrated experience of leading with sound fiscal management.
• Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership.
• Desire to share, support and successfully articulate the President's/Provost's vision for the strategic direction and administration of the University.
• Evidence of commitment to the land grant mission.

The Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering's next dean will possess a combination of professional experiences and personal qualities appropriate to the strategic priorities listed herein. The successful candidate will demonstrate integrity of the highest order, an intellectual curiosity and self-confidence balanced with humility, authenticity of character and a strong work ethic.

Position special requirements/additional information:

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical demands to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.

The department, the college, and the program are located at: https://coe.montana.edu/

Number of vacancies: 1

Desired start date: July 1, 2026

Position end date (if temporary): Open

Open date: Applications will be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Close date: Screening of applications will begin on January 5, 2026.

Special instructions: This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement: Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.