"Dean, Case School of Engineering"

Dean, Case School of Engineering

Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University seeks a Dean of Engineering with a distinguished record of excellence in research and teaching in engineering, effective leadership, support of high-quality academic programs, and successfully engaging both internal and external stakeholders. The Case School of Engineering (CSE) has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary innovation, an essential element of its entrepreneurial spirit and a hallmark of today’s engineering environment. The next dean will build on this foundation, enhancing collaboration across the university and with external partners.

Leveraging the school’s location in Cleveland—close to leading technology and business enterprises and renowned health care institutions—the dean will strengthen research and educational partnerships while driving progress on President Eric W. Kaler’s institutional priorities: elevating academic excellence, expanding the research enterprise, and enhancing community engagement and impact.

The Dean of Engineering will report to Provost Joy K. Ward and work in close partnership with President Eric W. Kaler. The ideal candidate will bring a distinguished record of research and scholarship in engineering and a demonstrated ability to engage collaboratively with fellow deans and senior university leaders. The dean will also be expected to advance President Kaler’s three institutional priorities: elevating academic excellence, expanding the university’s research enterprise, and enhancing community engagement and impact.

The school has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary engagement, which is crucial for today’s engineering environment. This interdisciplinarity is an essential ingredient in the School of Engineering’s unique entrepreneurial environment. The dean must be committed to these principles, and will be expected to continue this tradition, working to enhance collaboration across the schools and college of the university and with partners outside the university. The location of the school within Cleveland, its proximity to technological companies and other businesses in Cleveland, and a strong commitment to cooperation have resulted in myriad of productive partnerships for research and education.

Building on this foundation, the dean will help advance the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB)—the university’s 189,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art research hub and a bold investment in collaborative discovery. Set to open during CWRU’s bicentennial in 2026, the ISEB will bring together researchers, students, and partners across disciplines to confront society’s most pressing challenges. The dean will be instrumental in shaping the School of Engineering’s presence within this transformative space, and also in championing its potential to catalyze innovation, expand research impact, and inspire the next generation of engineering breakthroughs.

The next Dean of Engineering must have qualifications and personal characteristics that are well matched with the university’s values, achievements, aspirations, and potential. Candidates will be expected to hold stellar academic credentials, including tenure as a full professor and a distinguished research record.

The Case School of Engineering has a proud legacy of rigorous academic training, groundbreaking research, and innovation that spans more than a century. Home to some of the world’s oldest engineering departments, the school has led advancements in chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering for over 100 years, while pioneering macromolecular science and biomedical engineering for more than five decades.

Nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interest should be sent to casedean@russellreynolds.com. For best consideration, please send your CV by November 30.

In compliance with the City of Cleveland’s Pay Transparency Ordinance (effective October 27, 2025), the annual starting base salary range for this position is from $400K to $470K. CWRU considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, and paid time off.