The Position

Mississippi State University (MSU) invites nominations and applications for the next Dean of the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. The College and University are looking for a visionary leader with a record of excellence who will guide and grow the Bagley College of Engineering. The Dean is the chief academic and executive officer of the Bagley College of Engineering, reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President. Through the campus-wide Dean’s Council, the Dean contributes to decisions affecting the University and the Bagley College of Engineering. The incoming Dean will have a strong foundation upon which to build, with 170 full-time faculty across eight academic departments known for their research productivity and teaching excellence. The successful candidate will possess the leadership skills, vision, and enthusiasm for the College’s commitment to academic excellence.

For more than 100 years, the Bagley College of Engineering at Mississippi State University has been at the forefront of education and research. As one of approximately 40 named engineering colleges in the nation, the Bagley College offers degree programs in eight different academic engineering departments and many certificate programs. Programming is offered on campus and online, allowing students to learn from across the globe. Each academic program provides a challenging curriculum and an encouraging environment to allow students to achieve their full potential.

The Bagley College of Engineering is expected to be Mississippi State’s largest college this academic year. MSU is classified as a R1 (Very High Research Activity) institution and ranks 51st among all engineering colleges nationally in research and development expenditures, according to the most recently released information by the National Science Foundation. In FY24, the College had $80 million in externally funded research expenditures. An overview of research activity within the College can be found here.

U.S. News and World Report ranks its undergraduate and graduate programs in the top 100 nationwide and the College ranks within the top 15 nationally in graduating underrepresented engineers. The Bagley College of Engineering has strong relationships with business and industry – more than 270 companies actively recruit its graduates annually.

All undergraduate engineering and computer science programs are accredited by ABET – Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The College enrolls nearly 4,800 students across undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. programs. The College staff, composed of 160 employees, work in a wide variety of areas including student support, recruitment, marketing, and promotion. The College has a budget of more than $80 million, which includes endowment returns of more than $6 million. The Dean collaborates with the College’s faculty and staff in managing the College’s teaching, research, and service activities on campus.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a letter of interest and a curriculum vitae. WittKieffer is assisting Mississippi State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by October 9, 2024. Application materials should be submitted to WittKieffer’s portal using the buttons below. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Ryan Crawford and Sarah Seavey at MSST-BCOEDean@wittkieffer.com.

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.