The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte or Charlotte) invites nominations and applications for the position of dean of the William States Lee College of Engineering. This role reports to the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNC Charlotte, North Carolina’s urban research university.
North Carolina is known for its commitment to public higher education; the University of North Carolina at Charlotte exemplifies the state constitution’s mission of access. What began in 1946 as a night school to serve returning veterans has grown into one of the top 100 public universities in the nation. As North Carolina’s urban research university, UNC Charlotte is integral to the social, cultural and economic fabric of the Charlotte metropolitan area of three million people. UNC Charlotte delivers high-quality, affordable education and drives progress and innovation through top-tier research and creative discovery. There are more than 3,200 faculty and staff members and an enrollment of 33,045 students. All thrive on a 1,000-acre campus, 10 miles from the city center, and at the Dubois Center in uptown Charlotte. UNC Charlotte boasts more than 193,000 alumni and graduates, with more than 9,000 new alumni each year.
THE WILLIAM STATES LEE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
The William States Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte is a dynamic, growing engineering college with a strong reputation for industry-connected education, applied research, innovation, and student success. Serving more than 4,400 undergraduate and 450 graduate students across a broad portfolio of engineering disciplines, the college prepares graduates to address complex challenges in fields ranging from energy and infrastructure to advanced manufacturing, computer engineering, construction, and emerging technologies.
At the William States Lee College of Engineering, six dynamic academic departments and schools prepare students to tackle real-world challenges through innovative education, research, and hands-on experience. Each department offers a range of undergraduate and graduate pathways that blend technical rigor with practical application, ensuring our graduates are ready to lead in industry, research, and global engineering communities. Below are the six departments and schools.
- Albert School of Construction
- School of Energy
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science
The William States Lee College of Engineering is in an exciting period of growth and opportunity, with new academic enterprises that position the college to respond to some of the most pressing infrastructure and workforce needs facing the region and nation.
THE ROLE OF THE DEAN
Reporting to the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, the dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the William States Lee College of Engineering, responsible for providing strategic vision and operational leadership for all aspects of the college’s portfolio of academic programs, research, and industry engagement.
The dean is responsible for setting college priorities and leading the college to accomplish goals that are in alignment with UNC Charlotte’s strategic priorities. The dean will join a leadership team in Academic Affairs at UNC Charlotte that places a high value on innovation, collaboration, and interdisciplinarity. The dean is the college’s chief advocate, promoting the college’s goals and achievements, leading its development and fundraising activities, and engaging with industry and other community partners. The dean will be the College of Engineering’s public voice, promoting initiatives within UNC Charlotte and across the state, fostering collaboration with industry, and articulating the College of Engineering’s contributions at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels.
Reporting to the dean are the associate dean for academic affairs, associate dean for research, associate dean for faculty affairs, assistant dean of student experience, assistant dean of budget and personnel, and six department/school heads. In addition, the office of the dean of the College of Engineering is staffed by nine staff. The College of Engineering has a total of 197 faculty, 83 staff, and a budget of $57.9M.
Process of candidacy
The search committee will begin accepting and reviewing applications immediately and until December 4th, 2026. Requested application materials include a letter of interest addressing the leadership agenda and a curriculum vitae/resumé. Although applications will be accepted until a dean is selected, for best consideration, all candidates should submit their materials as soon as possible. All materials will be received in confidence.
For more information, please visit the search website: https://provost.charlotte.edu/dean-the-william-states-lee-college-of-engineering/ and College website: https://engineering.charlotte.edu/
Please submit materials via the DSG- Storbeck online portal: https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/23277