Dean of the Texas A&M College of Science Position and Institutional Profile

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1 Dean of the Texas A&M College of Science Position and Institutional Profile As the scientific core of Texas A&M University, the College of Science provides the highest quality of science education, scholarly research, and technical expertise to the people and industries of Texas and the United States. To this end, the University seeks a Dean who will demonstrate the leadership necessary to maintain and strengthen the College's national and international standing, to promote academic excellence, to develop and enhance the College's resources, and to inspire faculty, staff, and students to continue to build an outstanding institution.

2 The University. (For general information about Texas A&M University, visit The University s Fact Sheet can be found at Opened in 1876 as Texas' first public institution of higher learning, Texas A&M University is a researchintensive flagship university with more than 120 undergraduate degree programs and more than 240 master's and Ph.D. programs. The University enrolls one of the 6 largest student bodies in the nation and the largest outside a major metropolitan area. The Fall 2014 total enrollment was a record 62,145. With 16 colleges and schools, including the Texas A&M Health Science Center and the Texas A&M School of Law located in Ft. Worth, the University is one of the most diversified and comprehensive in the nation. Texas A&M is one of a select few academic institutions in the nation to hold triple federal designations as a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university. Research at Texas A&M University spans the full range of scholarly endeavors and disciplines, securing Texas A&M's place among the world's leading research institutions. With more than $820 million in research expenditures generated by Texas A&M faculty-researchers, the University ranks in the top tier of universities nationwide in total research expenditures. Researchers and graduate students are involved in projects on every continent in the world, with more than 600 initiatives underway in more than 80 countries. Texas A&M has also achieved international recognition as a leading research and teaching institution and is one of only 62 invited members of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Academics 120 undergraduate degree programs 240 master s and Ph.D. programs Distinguished Faculty More than 80% of Texas A&M s 4259 faculty members hold doctoral degrees; close to 400 hold endowed chairs or professorships Among Texas A&M faculty there are 3 Nobel Prize recipients, 13 members of the National Academy of Engineering, 6 members of the National Academy of Science, and 3 members of the Institute of Medicine 2

3 Research (For information on research administration: For information about Research Centers on campus: More than $820 million in research expenditures, ranking the University in the top tier of universities nationwide One of only 62 invited members of the Association of American Universities (AAU) Classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral/Research University- Extensive institution During the most recent fiscal year, researchers at Texas A&M and affiliated A&M System agencies formed six startup companies and executed 50 licenses, bringing the total number of active licenses to 441; 38 licenses for new technology were executed and 32 patents were issued. Students 62,185 students of which more than 19,000 are graduate students 70.9% of the student body receives about $537 million in financial aid annually 25% of the freshman class are the first in their family to attend college First in Texas in student retention and graduation rates overall and for minorities 35% of applicants are granted acceptance Diversity 21.9% Hispanic, Black, and American Indian 47.6% Female Vision (The University s strategic plan is located at Vision 2020: Creating a Culture of Excellence articulates Texas A&M University's bold recognition of necessary institutional evolution required to achieve its mission as a land, sea, and space grant institution of global preeminence. Adopted in 1999, with an explicit vision for acceptance 3

4 as a consensus leader among peer public institutions, more than 250 stakeholders worked to identify benchmarks, which if achieved, would enhance the value of Texas A&M to The Texas A&M University System, the State of Texas, and the nation. Vision 2020 identifies twelve specific areas of focus, which are underscored as well-crafted imperatives that define accepted precepts and goals that the University will target over the course of two decades. For 10 years, Vision 2020 has guided strategic planning, budgeting, and administrative priorities, making tremendous progress and garnering national accolades for the Univerisity s unique combination of core values and academic excellence. In the fall of 2008, recognizing the approaching halfway point in the 20 year timeframe for Vision 2020, Texas A&M embarked on a new planning effort to refocus efforts toward achievable and uniquely positioned strategic initiatives. The Academic Master Plan is intended to build on the success from the previous decade, recognize areas for attention, and reaffirm the commitment to Vision Location. (For information about the College Station/Bryan Community, visit Texas A&M University is located in the twin cities of Bryan and College Station, home to about 170,000 residents. Its Central Texas location offers the best of both worlds: it's small enough to offer safe and affordable living and just a short drive to three major Texas cities Houston, Austin and Dallas listed among the five fastest growing cities in the United States. The regional airport provides commercial flights to neighboring cities. The Bryan/College Station community enjoys a healthy economy with strong job growth, one of the state's lowest unemployment rates, and an affordable housing market. In addition to Texas A&M, both public and private elementary, intermediate, and high schools, and a two-year 4

5 community college, provide educational options for all ages. As a regional health care hub, the area has three hospitals, numerous medical specialists, and several retirement and assisted living facilities. Bryan/College Station's temperate climate provides for recreational opportunities year around. The University is home to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. More than 1,200 public events are hosted through the University each year. College of Science. (For information about the College of Science: The College of Science Fact Sheet, which includes the latest published Annual Report, can be found at The College of Science at Texas A&M University takes great pride in providing the highest quality science education, scholarly research, and technical expertise to the people and industries of Texas and the nation. Through five departments and many interdisciplinary centers and institutes, the College of Science advances discovery and solves real-world problems while producing the next generation of scientific leaders and technologies and playing a key role in helping Texas A&M succeed in its mission to become one of the nation s top 10 public institutions by the year Teaching. The College of Science is dedicated to education and knowledgegeneration. Each semester, it provides the required mathematics, statistics, and science foundations for all Texas A&M majors, teaching nearly 20 percent of the University s total semester credit hours. The College includes many of Texas A&M s highest student-ranked instructors, including four of its 18 Presidential Professors for Teaching Excellence, the University s most prestigious award for classroom prowess. In addition, each department has leaders in the promotion of innovative educational approaches and the use of information technology to enhance the traditional educational experience for our students. Research. A fundamental approach to solving today s complex problems is the foundation of our discoveries and research to benefit mankind. In Calendar Year 2013, the College of Science s 5

6 total research funding amounted to $46.2 million. Its five departments are leaders in generating funding and proven results that enhance our international reputation for excellence. Service. The faculty are a source of invaluable scientific expertise through worldwide scholarly publication, service on scientific advisory and editorial boards, and leadership in international bodies. Many are actively involved in reversing a national science and mathematics teacher shortage by developing more effective tools and techniques to enhance the educational experience for K-16 students and teachers. Countless others participate in a wide variety of educational science activities offered by the College each year to encourage interest in science and related careers at the middle and high school levels. Biology. Departments (For information about the Department of Biology: The Department of Biology seeks to understand life at its most basic levels and convey that knowledge to prepare the next generation of scientists, physicians, and citizens. The Department provides fundamental lecture and laboratory courses that introduce biological principles to students across the University. With the largest number of majors in the College, the Department prepares students for advanced biological study and careers and also plays an essential role in enhancing an understanding of the central role of biological systems in the global environment. In addition, the faculty provide external expertise and service on scientific advisory and editorial boards creating exceptional learning opportunities in classrooms and laying a firm foundation in modern biological sciences to prepare students for a multitude of careers that depend on a solid understanding of biology. Chemistry. Tenure-Track Faculty: 45 Non-Tenure-Track Faculty: 11 Distinguished Professors: 2 Graduate Students: 96 Undergraduate Students: 1,636 Degrees Awarded: 310 (17 Ph.D., 2 master s, 291 undergraduate) Research Funding: $5.2 million (For information about the Department of Chemistry: 6

7 The Department of Chemistry, one of the largest in the nation, is also one of the most prestigious. The faculty is ranked among the top 10 percent in quality by the National Research Council, and their research expertise is enhanced by a comprehensive array of state-of-the-art instrumentation and facilities. The Department offers flexible undergraduate degree programs that emphasize laboratory practice and research participation, as well as one of the larger Ph.D. programs in the nation (more than 400 Ph.D.s awarded in the past 10 years) with opportunities for professional development. The Department s goal is to educate junior scholars to become scientists who can be leaders in chemistry. Tenure-Track Faculty: 44 Non-Tenure-Track Faculty: 16 Distinguished Professors: 16 Graduate Students: 256 Undergraduate Students: 361 Degrees Awarded: 107 (37 Ph.D., 6 master s, 64 undergraduate) Research Funding: $14.5 million Mathematics. (For information about the Department of Mathematics: At the time Texas A&M was founded in 1876 as the oldest public institution of higher learning in Texas, two of its original six professors were mathematicians. Today the Department of Mathematics continues to perform an equally critical function. It teaches 28,000 students annually while also executing one of the nation's most impressive and diverse research agendas. It offers three undergraduate degrees with a variety of options as well as traditional and specialized tracks for advanced graduate study. As proven leaders in K-12 educational outreach, technology-mediated instruction, and distance education, the Department currently offers one of the nation's few 100 percent online master's degrees in mathematics. Physics and Astronomy. Tenure-Track Faculty: 77 Non-Tenure-Track Faculty: 68 Distinguished Professors: 9 Graduate Students: 163 Undergraduate Students: 593 Degrees Awarded: 141 (12 Ph.D., 28 master s, 101 undergraduate) Research Funding: $8 million (For information about the Department of Physics and Astronomy: 7

8 The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers firm foundations and flexible degree plans as it opens young minds to the frontiers of scientific knowledge in areas such as atomic, condensed matter, high energy, nuclear, and applied physics. The Department s award-winning faculty includes two Nobel laureates, four National Academy of Sciences members, and seven Distinguished Professors as well as many internationally decorated scholars and researchers. While graduate students are much of the impetus behind the Department s outstanding research, most of the undergraduates also participate in research projects. Statistics. Tenure-Track Faculty: 63 Non-Tenure-Track Faculty: 4 Distinguished Professors: 13 Graduate Students: 185 Undergraduate Students: 303 Degrees Awarded: 40 (15 Ph.D., 9 master s, 16 undergraduate) Research Funding: $13.2 million (For information about the Department of Statistics: The Department of Statistics seeks to produce statistical methods that benefit all professions while providing first-rate instruction to prepare students for careers in industry, government, and academia. The Department offers master's and doctoral degrees and, together with the Department of Mathematics, jointly sponsors an undergraduate degree in applied mathematical sciences. Its research programs feature international leaders in a variety of areas, from bioinformatics to statistical modeling. It also boasts many of Texas A&M's top experts in distance education who are pioneers in technology-mediated instruction. Responsibilities of the Dean. Tenure-Track Faculty: 33 Non-Tenure-Track Faculty: 12 Distinguished Professors: 4 Graduate Students: 162 Degrees Awarded: 42 (8 Ph.D., 34 master s) Research Funding: $4.3 million Leading the development and implementation of the College s strategic plan. Providing leadership in addressing the evolving challenges faced by students and faculty in higher education. Taking a leading role in strengthening the College s departmental rankings among Tier One research universities. Supervising, evaluating, and supporting departments in a manner that promotes excellence in scholarly research, teaching, and service. 8

9 Leading and coordinating the governance of the College, including compliance with University policy and state and federal law. Coordinating recruitment, development, and evaluation of administrators, faculty, and staff. Representing the College's interests and goals to the administration. Providing leadership in fundraising initiatives for the College. Prioritizing and cultivating research partnership opportunities with industry and government, and enhancing collaborations within the College and across the University. Qualifications of Successful Candidates. The University seeks an energetic and visionary leader who is dedicated to enhancing and strengthening the mission of the College and to furthering its commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and service. Candidates should have the following qualifications: An earned Ph.D. in a discipline represented by the College of Science. A strong record of teaching and research productivity that is both nationally and internationally recognized and appropriate for appointment as a tenured full professor in the College. Distinguished academic administrative experience at a Tier One Research University, preferably as a departmental chair or higher. Demonstrated ability to attract and retain a diverse and outstanding group of faculty, staff, and students. Demonstrated ability to successfully fund and lead major strategic initiatives. The ability to take bold action and make decisions that will enhance the College s current strengths and build new areas of excellence. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate the College s vision, goals, accomplishments, and needs to all constituents, including Texas A&M University administration, leaders and people of the State of Texas, and its supporters locally and around the world. A commitment to faculty, staff, and student success, satisfaction, and diversity. A commitment to public engagement. Experience in seeking private support from individuals, foundations, and corporations. 9

10 Nominations, Applications and Expressions of Interest. The search is being assisted by Academic Search, Inc., and a complete search profile can be found at Applications should consist of a substantive cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and a list of five professional references with full contact information, none of whom will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted electronically, and in confidence, to: TAMUScienceDean@academic-search.com. Applications received by January 16, 2015 will be assured full consideration. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting Ann Die Hasselmo at Ann.Hasselmo@academic-search.com or Kelly Frazier at Kelly.Frazier@academic-search.com. Texas A&M University provides equal opportunity to all employees, students, applicants for employment or admission, and the public regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information or veteran status. Texas A&M University will promptly investigate all complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, and related retaliation in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Furthermore, we will aspire to maintain a work and educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. 10