Dean of Arts & Sciences

Overview

Dean of Arts & Sciences – Worcester, Provost Office, Worcester Polytechnic Institute invites nominations and applications for the position of Peterson Family Dean, School of Arts & Sciences. This is an exceptional opportunity for a visionary leader to advance interdisciplinary education and research at a premier technological university known for its distinctive project-based learning model.

The Dean will join WPI during a period of significant institutional momentum, as the university celebrates its Carnegie R1 research status, recognition as #18 nationally for "Best Return on Investment" by U.S. News & World Report, and inclusion among Linked In's Top 50 Colleges for 2025 based on career outcomes and alumni success. Reporting directly to Provost Andrew Sears and serving as a key member of the President's leadership team, the Dean will shape the future of a school that bridges cutting-edge science, technology, and the liberal arts.

Working collaboratively with the Provost, academic leaders, and faculty, the successful candidate will guide a school that contributes $27 million in research expenditures—37.8% of WPI's $71.6 million total—while offering 31 degree programs from undergraduate through doctoral levels. The Dean will lead seven departments spanning computer science, mathematical sciences, biology & biotechnology, chemistry & biochemistry, physics, social science and policy studies, and humanities & arts, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, expanding research excellence, and elevating the school's national prominence.

For a detailed executive search profile and application instructions, please see below. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed to WPIDean Arts And Sciences .

• Develop and advance a strategic vision that positions the School of Arts & Sciences as a national leader in interdisciplinary education, leveraging the School's substantial research portfolio (which contributes $27 million in research expenditures—37.8% of WPI's total) and the university's Carnegie R1 research status
• Lead seven academic departments (Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science, Biology & Biotechnology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Physics, Social Science & Policy Studies, and Humanities & Arts) with oversight of faculty development, resource allocation, and program quality
• Strengthen and expand the research enterprise by supporting faculty in securing competitive external funding, developing strategic research clusters, and establishing partnerships that increase research impact
• Support faculty and staff excellence by serving as an advocate and champion for recruitment, retention, and advancement, supporting belonging, well-being, and community
• Lead collaborative efforts and innovation as a member of the Provost's Council and President's leadership team, contributing to university-wide strategic initiatives while advocating for the School's distinctive mission
• Drive interdisciplinary education and research that prepares graduates to address complex global challenges requiring both technical expertise and understanding of societal impact
• Build strategic partnerships with industry leaders, international institutions, and community organizations that enhance research opportunities, student experiences, and raise the School's national profile
• Champion academic program innovation by working with faculty to develop new programs that anticipate future demands while maintaining disciplinary foundations
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for one of WPI's most academically diverse and research-productive units, with responsibility for substantial budget management and external representation
• Advance the School's central role in WPI's distinctive project-based learning model, ensuring Arts & Sciences programs effectively support experiential learning through interdisciplinary projects that connect science and technology to societal challenges. Support capstone experiences that provide discipline-specific research opportunities while connecting student learning directly to faculty scholarship and real-world problem solving

• Doctoral degree from…