UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has launched a national search for the next Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of the College of Engineering. Tracy Langkilde, dean of the Eberly College of Science, will chair the search committee.
Tonya Peeples, senior associate dean and professor of chemical engineering, has been serving as interim dean since July 1. She took over for Anthony Atchley, who retired from the position at the end of June. In August 2022, when Justin Schwartz, then the Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineering, was named interim executive vice president and provost, Atchley was appointed acting dean of engineering, a title that changed to interim dean when Schwartz was appointed Penn State’s permanent executive vice president and provost on May 1.
Established in 1896, the College of Engineering is Penn State’s largest academic college and houses 13 academic departments and degree programs and 30 major research centers and laboratories. Its more than 570 faculty members support over 12,000 students and 95 postdoctoral researchers. The dean, reporting directly to the executive vice president and provost of the University, serves as the principal academic and administrative officer of the college.
The new dean will be instrumental in shaping future developments within the college, including incorporating Penn State’s strategic plan and new budget model into college operations; creating and maintaining an equitable, inclusive community; recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented faculty, staff and student body; and building on the college’s commitment to student success and impactful research. The incoming dean also will be a strong partner to University leadership and build relationships across Penn State, including the Commonwealth Campuses, to promote and expand interdisciplinary education and research.
The College of Engineering seeks a scholar with achievements appropriate for a tenured, full professorship in a department within the college. The dean must have a substantial record of administrative leadership; a dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; and administrative, fiscal and operational capability. The dean must possess inspiring leadership qualities and exceptional interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills. Additionally, the dean should be an experienced fundraiser and, in coordination with the development team within the college, forge strong relationships and engage donors, alumni and industry leaders in supporting strategic priorities of the college.
The firm WittKieffer will be assisting Penn State with the search. Interested parties should include a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile that is available at wittkieffer.com. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Candidate materials should be received no later than Aug. 28. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Suzanne Teer, Jessica Herrington and Cathryn Davis at PennStateEngineeringDean@wittkieffer.com.
Members of the search committee include:
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Andrea Arguelles, associate head for diversity and inclusion; assistant professor of engineering science and mechanics
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Sydney Assalita, undergraduate student in engineering science and Schreyer Honors Scholar
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Kathleen Bieschke, vice provost for Faculty Affairs and professor of education
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Chitaranjan Das, department head of Computer Science and Engineering
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Mary Frecker, department head of Mechanical Engineering
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Sara Hackett, human resources consultant
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Erin Hostetler, director of Student Research and Graduate Equity, College of Engineering
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Tracy Langkilde, search committee chair; dean and professor of biology, Eberly College of Science
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David Mazyck, head of the School of Engineering Design and Innovation
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Martin Nieto-Perez, associate teaching professor of nuclear engineering
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Tracy Peterson, director of Student Transitions and Pre-College Programs, College of Engineering
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Debrina Roy, doctoral candidate in industrial and manufacturing engineering
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Tahira Reid Smith, Arthur L. Glenn Professor of Engineering Education
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Uday Shanbhag, Gary and Sheila Bello Chair Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
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Timothy Simpson, Paul Morrow Professor in Engineering Design and Manufacturing
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Stephanie Velegol, acting associate department head and teaching professor of chemical engineering
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Elizabeth Wright, chancellor, Penn State Hazleton; and associate professor of English, Academic Affairs
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Nanyin Zhang, Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Brain Imaging; professor of biomedical engineering and electrical engineering