Department Head, Engineering

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is a dynamic, mid‑sized public university redefining higher education. The university offers more than 70 academic programs, including certificates, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. It is committed to building a diverse community and providing transformative, hands‑on learning experiences for students of all backgrounds.

Fort Smith, Arkansas – Nestled along the Arkansas River, the city offers history, culture, and natural beauty. The university’s campus provides an ideal setting for academic and professional growth.

This 12‑month position is both faculty and administration. Administrative responsibilities include leading and managing full‑time and part‑time engineering and industry faculty, facilitating class scheduling, coordinating assessment and accreditation of programs, and engaging with advisory boards and the manufacturing community. Faculty responsibilities include teaching 15 hours of undergraduate engineering courses annually, maintaining an active research agenda, and sustaining interaction with the engineering profession.

Other duties involve collaboration across departments, assessment of instruction, career advising, recruitment, retention, and participation in college and university committees. The position reports to the dean of the College of Business and Industry.

• Develop, implement, and assess effectiveness of curriculum.
• Provide classroom instruction and career advising.
• Coordinate recruiting, hiring, and retention of qualified faculty and staff.
• Complete annual faculty evaluations.
• Manage departmental meetings, course scheduling, faculty workload adjustments, and textbook adoption approvals.
• Manage departmental budget, faculty travel, purchases of departmental materials, and other expenses.
• Assess and monitor departmental equipment, lab, and safety needs.
• Work collaboratively with academic advising team in assessing and monitoring student progression and completion.
• Maintain scholarly activity and/or professional development sufficient for faculty appointment.
• Engage with advisory boards.

• Manage program assessment and accreditation activities.
• Participate in and support departmental fundraising efforts as needed.
• Support student recruitment, retention, and yield activities.
• Participate in service at the department, college, university, community, and/or professional levels as appropriate.
• Attend and participate in all faculty and administrative meetings, Student Research Symposium, commencement ceremonies, and other meetings/events as required.

Required Education and/or

Work Experience:

Ph.D. in Engineering from an accredited institution and four years of teaching or industry experience.

Preferred Education and/or

Work Experience:

Record of professional accomplishments and scholarship that meets the qualifications for appointment to the rank of associate professor or professor; leadership experience, professional experience as an engineer in an advanced manufacturing setting; experience in developing and implementing new curriculum; experience with student recruitment and/or advising.

• Ability to effectively lead and work with a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching, including the utilization of technology.
• Maintenance of an active applied research agenda.
• Willingness to engage with external stakeholders.
• Well‑developed communication and teamwork skills.
• Strong organization and prioritization skills.

Working Relationships: Student, Faculty, Administration, Staff, and External Stakeholders.

List Employees Supervised: Engineering and industry faculty and staff.

Special Job Dimensions: Work performed primarily in an office/classroom setting. Occasional travel and extended hours required. Requires walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods; visual demands include close, detailed vision when focusing on a computer screen; occasional lifting of items up to 10 pounds. Routine work schedule Monday…