Associate Dean of Students and Educational Innovation

Associate Dean of Students and Educational Innovation

Oregon State University

Department: College of Engineering (ENG)

Appointment Type: Professional Faculty

Job Location: Corvallis

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: $175,000 - $250,000

Job Summary:

Executive Summary

Oregon State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Dean of Students and Educational Innovation in the College of Engineering. This is an exceptional opportunity for an innovative, student -centered leader to shape the future of one of the nation's largest and most dynamic engineering undergraduate communities. The Associate Dean will serve as a key member of the College's leadership team, providing strategic direction for student life, learning, support, and success across the undergraduate experience, from recruitment through graduation, and beyond.

Founded in 1868, Oregon State University is an internationally recognized land- grant research institution and one of only three universities in the U.S. to hold land, sea, space, and sun grant designations. Serving more than 38,000 students across its campuses and nationally ranked Ecampus , OSU is distinguished by rapidly growingresearch activity, strong industry partnerships, and a deep commitment to inclusive excellence and public impact.

Its current strategic plan, Prosperity Widely Shared, sets bold goals for research expansion, enrollment growth, and improved student outcomes, supported by major investments in facilities and interdisciplinary innovation. OSU's research enterprise is distinguished by excellence across various disciplines, with faculty contributing tothe University's record- breaking research expenditures of $422 million in 2024, growth of over 35 percent in the last five years, making significant progress toward the University's goal of $600 million by 2030.

The Oregon State University College of Engineering is a powerhouse of talent, innovation, and purpose -home to world -class experts working across every major engineering discipline to create a better future for our planet and all who inhabit it. Founded in 1889, the College has long championed strong economies, healthy communities, and a sustainable natural environment. Throughout its history, Oregon State engineers have transformed entire fields, from pioneering the artificial heart valve and the computer mouse to advancing today's breakthroughs in robotics, artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, materials science, climate and coastal resilience, and more.

As the largest college at OSU and one of the nation's most respected engineering institutions, the College enrolls nearly 11,000 students , making it the 5th largest undergraduate program, and consistently ranks among the top engineering programs in the U.S. Its scale and impact are powered by more than 300 faculty, deep industry partnerships, and globally recognized research enterprise.

The Associate Dean will play a pivotal leadership role in elevating undergraduate student success, driving educational innovation, and strengthening community across all aspects of the enterprise that support students . Key expectations include unifying advising across schools in the College, leading efforts to close achievement gaps, enhancing academic integrity processes, expanding experiential learning opportunities, supporting mental health and well -being initiatives, and guiding curricular and pedagogic al innovation across schools . The Associate Dean will also contribute to the development of the College's 2026- 2030 strategic plan and ensure alignment with OSU -wide goals related to degree completion, access, online learning, and teaching excellence, as well as support the university's Prosperity Widely Shared strategic plan.

The ideal candidate will bring a record of strategic leadership, deep commitment to excellence, experience in evidence- based teaching and learning, and skill in fostering positive relationships with faculty, staff, and students. The candidate will demonstrate strength in supervision, academic program leadership, assessment and

accreditation, co- curricular development, and managing student -centered policies and processes. Outstanding communication skills, collaborative leadership, crisis response capabilities, and the ability to cultivate a culture of trust, innovation, and continuous improvement will be essential for success in this highly impactful role.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don't wait for challenges to present themselves - we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world

• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined

• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.

• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties

• 7 https://hr.oregonstate.edu/work-life/diversity-and-cultural-resources that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone

• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates

• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color

• 217k+ alumni worldwide

• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State's beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America's best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.

• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.

• Retirement savings paid by the university.

• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.

• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.

• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU's safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.

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Future and current OSU employees can use the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key Responsibilities

Role of the Associate Dean of Students and Educational

The Associate Dean of Students and Educational Innovation serves as a catalyst for transformative undergraduate engineering education, advancing experiences that are future- focused and deeply supportive of student success.

Key Leadership Areas include:

Student Success and Learning Environment

▪ Ensure every student has access to the academic resources, learning experiences, and support systems needed to succeed.

▪ Strengthen a high engagement learning environment that supports student persistence, well -being, and academic excellence across the College.

Academic Innovation and Program Leadership

▪ Guide the design, implementation, and assessment of evidence- based, innovative curricula.▪ Partner with faculty and key units (e.g., Center for Teaching and Learning; Technology Across the Curriculum) to elevate teaching excellence.

▪ Lead faculty development workshops, peer teaching evaluation processes, and engagement in national/regional engineering education forums.

▪ Oversee engineering course offerings and foster interdisciplinary academic programs.

▪ Collaborate with the Honors College to support high- achieving students.

▪ Ensure best practices in undergraduate academic operations are shared across colleges.

Enrollment, Advising & Student Support

▪ Collaborate with recruitment units to strengthen undergraduate pipelines.

▪ Lead coordinated academic advising across the College.

▪ Oversee scholarship administration and evaluate program effectiveness.

▪ Advance student wellness through mental health partnerships.

▪Improve pathways for pre- engineering students through work with the University Exploratory Studies Program.

▪ Establish and uphold clear academic integrity policies and procedures.

Experiential Learning and Co-Curricular Engagement

▪ Lead the College's experiential learning ecosystem, preparing practice- ready, entrepreneurial engineers.

▪ Collaborate with the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships to expand internships, co- ops, and industry partnership opportunities , including the Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program (MECOP , www.mecopinc.org).

▪ Grow research, leadership, study abroad, and service learning opportunities.

▪ Oversee the Engineering Student Council and the College's student organizations to ensure alignment with the College's learning goals.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

▪ Oversee the Student Affairs team and provide leadership for advising, course scheduling, and student success operations.

▪ Foster collaborative, positive, and growth- oriented relationships with faculty and staff.

▪ Contribute to long- term visioning and implementation of strategic plan initiatives, including improving time- to-degree and expanding access through all campuses and modalities .

College and University Engagement

▪ Serve on the College Leadership Team.

▪ Represent the College on university -wide committees.

▪ Communicate the College's student -success priorities across campus.

▪ Engage in ongoing professional development to strengthen leadership and communication skills.

The Associate Dean of Students and Educational Innovation is a key architect of an inclusive, innovative, and future- ready engineering learning environment, ensuring that every student is supported in becoming a successful, adaptable, and ethically grounded engineer.

What You Will Need

Oregon State seeks a student -centered, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as the next Associate Dean of Students and Educational Innovation in the College of Engineering. The successful candidate will demonstrate strength across the following areas:

• Visionary, Future -Focused Educational Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to anticipate emerging trends in engineering education, AI, and online learning, and to articulate a compelling, forward- looking vision that guides strategic planning and innovation.

• Strategic Leadership in Undergraduate Student Success

• Proven track record designing and advancing holistic student success systems -improving retention, reducing achievement gaps, and supporting diverse student populations across complex academic environments.

• Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Educational Innovation

• Expertise in evidence- based pedagogy, assessment, and instructional improvement, with the ability to champion curricular innovation, interdisciplinary programs, and faculty engagement in teaching excellence.

• Leadership in Experiential Learning and Workforce Development Experience expanding high impact learning opportunities (internships, co ops, research, global programs) and building strong partnerships with industry and research centers to support workforce readiness.

• Collaborative Administrative and Organizational Leadership

• Success supervising staff, leading cross -unit teams, building cohesive advising and academic support systems, and fostering transparent, trust -based relationships with faculty, staff, and students.

• Expertise in Accreditation and Academic Policy Development

• Experience leading continuous improvement and accreditation efforts, and establishing clear, consistent policies that uphold academic standards , including academic integrity .

Credentials

• A doctoral degree in engineering or related field. The candidate must be able to hold the rank of Associate

• Professor or Professor with Tenure, Associate Professor of Teaching or Professor of Teaching, Senior Instructor I or Senior Instructor II in the College of Engineering.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Administrative experience related to assessment and accreditation of engineering BS degree programs.

• Administrative experience related to co-curricular learning.

• Experience managing situations involving academic integrity.

• Experience mentoring and supporting students from diverse backgrounds.

• Experience fostering positive and affirming faculty interactions.

• Experience challenging structural/cultural barriers that limit progression in engineering education.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

• Some evening and weekend work is likely.

• Occasional travel may be required.

Special Instructions to Applicants

NO APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED THROUGH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

WittKieffer is assisting Oregon State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by March 23, 2026.

Please direct all nominations and applications through the https://wittkieffer.com/. https://wittkieffer.com

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited

Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

Additional inquiries can be directed to:Lauren Bruce-Stets and Amy Crutchfield

For more information on OSU's benefits, please visit https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website before hire.

OSU is a fair-chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience, including involvement with the justice system. This job has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related per-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks website, including the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the per-employment check, please contact OSU's Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6946069

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