Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science

Gonzaga University – Dean, School of Engineering & Applied Science

Gonzaga University seeks a visionary and collaborative leader committed to academic excellence and student success to serve as the next dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).

The next dean will develop a compelling vision for the future of SEAS and advance a strategy that elevates the school's standing and maximizes its impact. The vision and strategy will leverage Gonzaga's historical strengths as a liberal arts institution anchored by exceptional teaching and its Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic mission to further distinguish SEAS as an exemplar of innovation for the common good.

It is a time of great momentum for engineering and applied science  2022, the university unveiled the Bollier Center for Integrated Science and Engineering, elevating STEM education and ushering in a new era of collaboration and real‑world problem‑solving m climate change and public health research to biochemistry, psychology, neuroscience, and electronics labs, the center creates opportunities for engineering and applied and natural sciences to live and grow together, fostering discovery, innovation, and learning that benefit society.

In summer 2025, STEM at Gonzaga took another leap forward. A new Center for Materials Research, supported by a $1 million NIST grant shared with the College of Arts and Sciences, will advance innovation, industry partnerships, and student learning. A new state‑of‑the‑art Biomedical Engineering Laboratory will support hands‑on learning in the school's new biomedical engineering program.

SEAS has also launched new academic programs in data science and cybersecurity and minors in robotics and AI, complemented by a NIST‑funded Applied AI Lab. The GRO‑MECS program—Gonzaga Research Opportunities in Math, Engineering, and Computer Science—is a new initiative designed to ignite greater student interest in STEM fields while providing impactful experiential learning opportunities.

SEAS faculty and students benefit from transformative partnerships and facilities, including Gonzaga's leadership in the Inland Northwest Tech Hub in collaboration with Boeing, NASA, Space

X, and more than 200 other partners. The school partners closely with Gonzaga's new Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology, which drives interdisciplinary, human‑centered education and innovation at the intersection of data, AI, and the arts and sciences.

The next dean of SEAS must champion and balance academic excellence with practical application, honoring the school's history and traditions while pushing boldly into the future. An earned terminal degree in a STEM field and qualifications that merit an appointment as a full professor with tenure at Gonzaga University are required.

Learn more and download a detailed leadership profile at

Gonzaga University is a nationally ranked liberal arts university rooted in the Pacific Northwest with academic experiences and connections that span the globe. Committed to the Jesuit tradition of developing the whole person, Gonzaga prepares students for lives of leadership and service to others. The university enrolls nearly 7,500 students across seven colleges and schools. With small class sizes and teachers ranked among the nation's best, Gonzaga stretches perspectives, stimulates curiosity, and discovers new pathways to progress.

The successful dean candidate will join Gonzaga at an exciting moment in the institution's history. Dr. Katia Passerini took office as the university's 27th president in July 2025 and was officially installed in October. Only the second layperson to serve in the role since Gonzaga's founding in 1887, President Passerini leads the university in educating undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students for lives of leadership and service to others.

Witt Kieffer is supporting Gonzaga University in this search. Candidates should provide a CV and letter of interest using Witt Kieffer's candidate portal. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by January 16, 2026. Candidates will be considered until an appointment is made. Confidential nominations and…