Nominations invited for CSE dean search committee - Nov. 12, 2020
From the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
Dear CSE Faculty, Staff, and Students:
The College of Science and Engineering brings distinction to the University of Minnesota as one of the best in the nation, with a unique interdisciplinary configuration, top programs in many fields, and a strong commitment to excellence, diversity, and innovation. The college has continued its positive trajectory under the leadership of Dean Mos Kaveh, who was appointed as dean in 2018 for a term extending through this academic year. I now invite your engagement as we launch a national search for the next outstanding dean of the college, with the aim of having the next dean on board by fall 2021.
In the coming weeks, I plan to convene a search committee. The committee will develop a position profile that reflects broad input and then, assisted by a national search firm, will recruit a strong and diverse pool of exceptional candidates. The committee will primarily be made up of faculty who have the academic networks and expertise required for an academic hiring process, but it will also include staff, student, and external representation. I welcome your nominations of individuals to serve on this committee, in any of these categories. Please send your confidential nominations via email to provost@umn.edu. Brief comments in support of your nominations would be helpful. I ask for your suggestions by noon Thursday, November 19.
The work of the search committee will rely crucially on the engagement of the entire CSE community. The collective input will bring into focus the qualities sought in the next dean, shaping the position profile and recruitment strategies—and ultimately, the outcome of the search. Please watch for invitations to listening sessions as the search process gets under way, as well as opportunities later in the process to evaluate finalists during public interviews. We will establish a search information page on the CSE website, and will provide periodic updates as the search moves forward. Questions about the search process may be directed to Kate Tyler in my office at ktyler@umn.edu.
I am delighted that Dean Kaveh has agreed to continue to lead the college during this academic year while we complete the search. As dean since 2018, and previously as associate dean for research and planning, he has advanced collaborative strategic and capital planning that has positioned the college well for the future. The college has continued to strengthen high-impact research collaborations with community and industry partners, including the MnDRIVE partnership with the state of Minnesota; completed a highly successful capital campaign; and has grown its enrollment to meet critical needs for top-echelon scientists and engineers, in tandem with a concerted focus on diversity.
I look forward to working with Dean Kaveh and the CSE leadership team as we prepare to welcome the next dean, and to ensure a smooth transition. Thank you for your support and engagement as we move forward with this vitally important leadership search for the college and the University.
Sincerely yours,
Rachel T.A. Croson
Executive Vice President and Provost