Chair of Computer and Information Science (CIS)

Description

The College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn is seeking a visionary leader to serve as Chair of its Department of Computer and Information Science (CIS), with a targeted starting date of September 1, 2025. We are looking for candidates who will not only advance their field but also mentor and inspire a diverse student body and faculty team. As Chair, you will play a pivotal role in advancing innovative research and teaching practices and ensuring that the department is a welcoming place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Join us in shaping a future where diverse perspectives drive excellence and innovation in engineering and computer science education. If you are a visionary leader ready to make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply.

Over the past five years, the department has seen substantial enrollment growth, with over 800 undergraduate and 440 master’s students and about 20 Ph.D. students enrolled for Winter 2025. The department offers ABET-accredited B.S. degrees in Computer and Information Science and Software Engineering, as well as two (not yet accredited) B.S. degrees in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, and Data Science. Additionally, the department provides master's programs in Computer and Information Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, and Data Science. The department also offers a Ph.D. in Computer and Information Science administered through the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School. Currently, the department has 20 tenured or tenure-track faculty members (including 8 assistant professors), 2 full-time lecturers, and 13 part-time lecturers. Two new assistant professors and a full-time lecturer are expected to join the department in Fall 2025. The faculty's research expertise includes areas such as networking, security, data management, data science, artificial intelligence, and software engineering.

 

The College has embraced project-based learning as a cornerstone of its educational approach and has recently become a KEEN partner university, emphasizing the integration of entrepreneurial-minded learning into its curriculum.

 

Additional Information
The University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) is one of the three campuses of the University of Michigan. UM-Dearborn, a comprehensive university offering high quality undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education to residents of southeastern Michigan, and attracts more than 8,100 students. Our faculty comes from respected universities and doctoral programs, are recognized for excellence in research and teaching, and are active in professional and academic service roles in their respective fields.

US News & World Report ranks UM-Dearborn #1 among regional public universities in the state of Michigan and #3 among regional public universities in the Midwest. Additionally, US News & World Report ranks UM-Dearborn #13 in Top Performers in Social Mobility. These rankings recognize our commitment to offering rigorous educational programs, coupled with a focus on student experience and success.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn is in historic Dearborn, MI, the heart of the U.S. automotive industry. The University of Michigan-Dearborn is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. UM-Dearborn is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.

 

Qualifications

Candidates must have an earned doctorate in Computer Science or a closely related discipline, with a distinguished record in research, teaching, and visibility consistent with appointment as professor with tenure at the UM-Dearborn College of Engineering and Computer. 

Our next leader will have demonstrated abilities in research and curriculum innovations, possess outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, and be capable of fostering a collaborative and respectful environment. 

The selected candidate will be expected to advance the department’s recent accomplishments in research and teaching, while serving as a champion for students, faculty, and staff, as well as a promoter of the visions of the department, college, and university.

Application Instructions

Review of applications will start immediately, with applications being reviewed continuously until the position is filled.  Applications will remain confidential until on-campus interviews; we expect to conduct on-campus interviews in April 2025.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Michigan-Dearborn shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The University’s Non-Discrimination statement provides contact information for filing a complainant and the University’s Title IX Statement.