The University of Washington Tacoma campus) seeks a collaborative, forward-thinking, and externally engaged leader to serve as the next Dean of the School of Engineering & Technology (SET). As one of the institution's most dynamic and rapidly growing schools, SET plays a critical role in advancing UW Tacoma's mission as an urban-serving university dedicated to expanding access, fostering innovation, and strengthening the economic and social vitality of the South Puget Sound region. Deeply integrated with the City of Tacoma, the university's campus is woven into the downtown landscape, fostering strong partnerships with industry, government, community organizations, and civic leaders. This close connection to the city creates distinctive opportunities for experiential learning, applied research, community engagement, and workforce development, enabling SET to serve as a catalyst for innovation and regional impact. The next dean will have a unique opportunity to build upon a strong foundation of growth, scholarship, and community partnership while shaping the future of engineering and technology education at a pivotal moment of transformation. 

The next dean will be charged with guiding SET through its next phase of organizational maturity and strategic growth. Building on a decade of remarkable expansion, the dean will work closely with faculty and staff to strengthen organizational structures, support effective governance, and ensure the resources and systems necessary are in place to sustain excellence and impact. At the same time, the dean will articulate a compelling academic vision that positions SET at the forefront of emerging technologies and workforce needs, advancing innovative degree programs, expanding enrollment, and thoughtfully integrating artificial intelligence and other rapidly evolving fields throughout the curriculum. The dean will also foster a diverse and inclusive academic community that supports the success of students, faculty, and staff and reflects UW Tacoma's commitment to access and opportunity. 

The dean will also serve as a highly visible ambassador, strengthening relationships across the University of Washington system while expanding partnerships with industry, government, community organizations, alumni, and philanthropic supporters. Through these efforts, the dean will help increase experiential learning opportunities, advance economic development throughout the South Puget Sound region, elevate the visibility of SET's accomplishments, and secure the resources necessary to support future growth. 

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished academic leader who combines strategic vision with operational excellence, values collaboration and shared governance, and demonstrates a deep commitment to student success, innovation, and community engagement. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to leadership in a diverse and inclusive academic community. The successful candidate should have an earned doctorate in a SET field or related discipline from a professionally accredited institution and academic credentials commensurate with appointment at the rank of tenured full professor within the school. This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a thriving school with a clear trajectory of growth and impact while helping position UW Tacoma as a national model for accessible, workforce-relevant, and community-connected engineering and technology education. 

The Dean position is a full-time leadership position with a tenured academic position at the rank of Professor in the School of Engineering with an anticipated start date in Summer 2027.  

The base salary range for this position will be ($19,166-$21,667 per month) $230,000- $260,000 annually commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. 

Role of the Dean 

Reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the School of Engineering and Technology and is responsible for all educational, budgetary, and administrative matters within the school. The dean will provide the vision and leadership necessary for SET to excel while advancing the university's teaching, research, and service missions. As a member of UW Tacoma's academic leadership team, the dean will advocate for the interests of the school, and serve on campus and university committees that advance institutional priorities. Working closely with fellow deans, including partners in the Milgard School of Business, with which SET offers the MS in Cybersecurity and Leadership jointly, the dean will help advance interdisciplinary initiatives and strengthen SET's role across the campus and the broader University of Washington system. 

The dean will lead the school's educational, research, scholarly, and public engagement activities through thoughtful planning, implementation, and evaluation that ensure SET's programs remain successful, relevant, and sustainable, which includes leading compliance with ABET standards. The dean will also be responsible for the recruitment, appointment, and retention of faculty, staff, and academic administrators, developing hiring plans that support the school's growth, mentoring the leaders of its academic units and programs, and reviewing faculty promotion and tenure cases. 

Effective management of the school's financial and physical resources will be essential to sustaining SET's momentum. The dean will also prepare annual budget proposals, manage space allocation within the school, and ensure SET adheres to university policies and procedures. Just as important, the dean will foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative environment through regular consultation with faculty, staff, and students and meaningful engagement with governance councils and committees. 

The dean will serve as a highly visible ambassador for SET, building relationships with alumni, donors, employers of graduates, industry and government partners, and community organizations throughout the South Puget Sound region and beyond. Working closely with advancement partners, the dean will develop and implement fundraising strategies that secure philanthropic support for the school's priorities. Through these efforts, the dean will gather external input on SET's impact, represent the school at university and community events, and elevate its stature and reputation among peer institutions and the broader engineering and technology community. 

The School of Engineering and Technology at UW Tacoma  

The School of Engineering & Technology (SET) at the University of Washington, Tacoma prepares students to become leaders across computer, electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering. Graduates develop real-world solutions in embedded systems, information technology, and software design, grounded in a curriculum that balances theoretical depth with the practical skills of innovators and entrepreneurs. Through partnerships with area companies, SET connects students to hands-on experience and evolving industry needs, while strong support services attract and sustain students from diverse educational, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. 

SET traces its origins to the Computing & Software Systems program, launched in 1999 through a collaborative effort among seven South Puget Sound community colleges to expand access to a four-year computer science degree. In 2001, responding to industry demand for skilled technology professionals, the Washington Legislature established the Institute of Technology at UW Tacoma through a public-private partnership. With a statewide mission and fifteen community and technical college partners, the Institute set out to grow the pipeline of graduates fueling Washington's high-tech economy and to extend opportunity to women and underrepresented groups. 

Today, SET is where cutting-edge research meets community impact. SET houses the only PhD program on campus. Interdisciplinary teams of engineers, data scientists, designers, and community partners tackle urgent challenges including coastal resilience, sustainable infrastructure, intelligent transportation, and equitable computing. By combining fieldwork, applied labs, and partnerships with local industry and government, SET advances technologies built to serve people and places across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Applicants for this position must meet the following minimum qualifications: 

Candidates must hold an earned doctorate in a science, engineering, or technology field, or related discipline from a professionally accredited institution (or foreign equivalent). They must also have academic credentials that qualify them for appointment as a tenured full professor within the school. 

UW Tacoma has retained WittKieffer, to assist with this important recruitment. Inquiries and nominations should be directed confidentially to Jessica Herrington, Cathyrn Davis and/or Ethan Robles at  UW-TacomaSETDean@wittkieffer.com

To ensure full consideration of your application, please submit all materials to Interfolio. Priority will be given to those applications received by January 4, 2027. Applications will only be accepted via Interfolio:. The position will remain open until filled. 

Applications should include the following materials:  

• a cover letter detailing your relevant qualifications, experience and interest in the position addressing the themes outlined in the Wittkieffer leadership profile: Dean, School of Engineering and Technology | WittKieffer. 

• a curriculum vitae