Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Howard University in its search for Department Chair, Civil and Environmental Engineering.

For priority consideration, please apply by March 24, 2023.

Howard University, a culturally diverse, comprehensive, research intensive and historically Black private university, provides an educational experience of exceptional quality at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels to students of high academic standing and potential. 

At the College of Engineering and Architecture at Howard University, within a historical context of emphasizing educational opportunities for Black students, our mission is to educate our students by developing their intellectual abilities and personal growth, instill in them a profound commitment to service and ethical decision-making, and advance knowledge through impactful research and creative work. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join this prestigious university and its Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as Department Chair. 

The next department chair will be an innovative and energetic academic leader eager to represent and advocate for all departmental faculty, staff, students, and programs. The successful candidate will possess organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills as well as a distinguished record of scholarly accomplishments and of leveraging academic, corporate, and government partnerships for the benefit of learning and discovery. 

The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking and dynamic leader who presents a clear vision for the department. The department chair is charged with leading faculty and staff in advancing the department's research, teaching, and service mission; and must have a demonstrated commitment to serving diverse students with a broad spectrum of academic preparation. The successful candidate should have knowledge of the state-of-the-art in civil engineering, possess excellent people skills, be service-oriented, collaborate well with colleagues, and possess the ability to motivate faculty, staff, and students toward shared goals.

Expected Qualifications: 

• Earned doctorate in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Scholarly record deserving of appointment as a tenured full professor 
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the academic and professional success of historically underrepresented populations in engineering
• Academic leadership amongst peers including personnel management (faculty and staff), resource management (finances, facilities, equipment, etc.), quality academic programming / delivery
• Evidence of original initiatives focused on improving excellence in teaching, research, recruitment, mentoring, student success, and retention
• Interpersonal and communication skills to develop, maintain, and work successfully with faculty, staff, department administrator(s), peer colleagues, students, alumni, donors, and other stakeholders
• Experience developing and advancing philanthropic opportunities, economic development, extramurally funded research, or other fundraising efforts
• A PE license or ability to obtain one
• Experience preparing for ABET evaluation

About the Institution

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private research university comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue 143 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. 

Howard is a leader in STEM fields. The National Science Foundation has ranked Howard as the top producer of African-American undergraduates who later earn science and engineering doctoral degrees. The University also boasts nationally ranked programs in social work, business, and communications. To date, we have produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients.

The College of Medicine is internationally regarded for its illustrious legacy of training students to become competent and compassionate physicians who provide health care in medically underserved communities at home and abroad. The College is a national leader in studying health disparities among people of color and is one of America's top institutions for training women surgeons. The Howard University Health Sciences division includes the Howard University Hospital and the Colleges of Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing and Allied Health Sciences.

For more than 150 years, the Howard University School of Law has served as an advocate for social justice and as an architect of social change. It has produced more than 4,000 social engineers including the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, noted legislators, civil rights attorneys, mayors and public officials across the United States. It is the No. 1 law school for African Americans ranked by preLaw magazine. 

The University's motto Veritas et Utilitas, Truth and Service, represents a key part of our identity. The more than 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students dedicate hundreds of hours each year to service in nearby LeDroit Park, around the nation and throughout the world. Over the U.S. Peace Corps' 50-year history, more than 200 Howard graduates have served as volunteers around the globe, the highest number among historically Black colleges. 

The University remains committed to further enhancing its strategic positioning as one of the top research universities in the nation. As we celebrate 154 years, we are uniquely positioned to have the next 150 years as glorious as the past. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu. 

 
About the College of Engineering and Architecture

Howard University’s College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) continues to play a vital role in producing our nation’s top engineers and architects. The CEA ranks among the top producers of African American male and female engineers. In its 2021 report titled Engineering by the Numbers, the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) lists Howard University in the top twenty in terms of the percentage of engineering bachelor's degrees that are awarded to women. In the same report, the ASEE also lists Howard University in the top twenty in terms of the percentage of engineering Bachelor’s Degrees awarded to Underrepresented Minorities.

The CEA is one of Howard University’s 14 schools and colleges. The CEA comprises the five departments of Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering. We offer fully accredited Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs. Graduate degree programs with abounding research opportunities offered in the engineering disciplines are Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy. A certificate in Cybersecurity is also offered.

Our graduates possess the ability to apply their knowledge of mathematics, science, design, and engineering to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems and understand the impact of architectural and engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.

About the Department

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Howard University offers a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree program and three graduate degree programs, Master of Engineering, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Areas of specialization in both undergraduate and graduate study include the sub-disciplines of environmental and water resources engineering, structural and earthquake engineering, transportation engineering, and geotechnical engineering.

These are opportune times to study civil and environmental engineering. As our nation's infrastructure is eroding, civil engineers are being called to address the grand challenges of restoring, protecting, and improving our nation's infrastructure with a keen eye on sustainable green design.

At Howard University, faculty and students are involved in interdisciplinary research involving collaborations with departments both internal and external to the university and have made distinct paths in research and education within our field.

Howard University educates leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, researchers, and professionals with international awareness. Over the years, Howard alumni have continued to make strong impacts on our profession and society. Howard University's location in Washington, D.C. affords students unique opportunities to interact with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, local contractors, companies, and industrial affiliates. Additional information about department is available at: https://civil.howard.edu

Living in the Area

Home of the White House, host to 176 diplomatic missions, and more than 600,000 residents, Washington, D.C., is more than "A Capital City," it is the heartbeat of the United States. Washington D.C. is a vibrant city full of history and culture. The iconic landmarks including the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, or the Smithsonian Museums, are all within walking distance of each other. With its dynamic nightlife scene, world-class restaurants, and abundance of art and cultural institutions, Washington D.C. has something to offer every kind of resident. The District of Columbia is surrounded by Maryland to the northwest, north, northeast, east and southeast and Virginia to the south, southwest and west. The Potomac River divides the District of Columbia from Virginia. 

Given its designation as the U.S. capital, it is natural that government, national and international politics, and diplomacy are the major industries here. Trade and service industries follow, with finance, law, health care and tourism leading the way. In a city that hosts 176 diplomatic missions, Washington, D.C.’s food culture is a mixture of everyone else’s, but there are some noteworthy distinctions. 

To Apply:

For priority consideration, please apply by March 24, 2023 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a curriculum vitae and cover letter. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

 Candidates advanced in the process will be asked to provide the following additional materials:

• A statement of your vision and key initiatives in research, education, and academic leadership for the department not to exceed 3-pages; 
• A statement describing your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion as it relates to enhancing representation of Black professionals in engineering;

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to HUChairCivilEngineering@acesrch.com 
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees’ name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com