Job Description

Title: Chairperson of the Department of Mechanical Engineering
Employee Classification: Department Chairperson
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Engineering
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

Illinois State University invites applications for Chairperson of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering. The chairperson will provide academic and administrative leadership for a growing department and advance a vision centered on student success, research excellence, and workforce development. The successful candidate will hold a 12-month appointment and possess a record of scholarship, teaching, and service that merits appointment as an Associate or Full Professor at Illinois State University in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Reporting to the Dean of the College of Engineering, the chairperson will work closely with faculty, staff, and university leaders to strengthen the department’s academic programs, support faculty development, and build a collegial environment grounded in shared academic governance. As a member of the college leadership team, the chairperson will contribute to the continued development of the college and its interdisciplinary engineering curriculum.
Primary Responsibilities
• Provide academic and administrative leadership for the department, aligning departmental priorities with the College’s vision and the University’s mission.
• Lead faculty recruitment, support and mentor faculty and staff, and administer annual evaluations, promotion, and tenure processes in accordance with university, college, and departmental policies.
• Work with faculty colleagues and university leaders to develop and strengthen the mechanical engineering curriculum, laboratories, and educational experiences that integrate theory and practice.
• Lead preparations for ABET accreditation of the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program and support assessment and continuous improvement.
• Lead preparations for the Master of Science in the Mechanical Engineering program and support the approval at the institution and state levels.
• Collaborate with the Office of the Dean of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, and other academic units to support the core engineering curriculum, interdisciplinary learning, and the development of new academic opportunities.
• Promote excellence in teaching, advising, and student engagement, with attention to student retention, professional development, and career readiness.
• Promote research excellence, encourage the pursuit of external funding, and support scholarly activity and collaboration.
• Manage departmental budgets, personnel, facilities, and other resources; work with the dean to secure resources that support departmental and college priorities.
• Build relationships with industry and external partners that support student opportunities, academic programs, and research.
• Foster a collegial and inclusive environment for a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students, and uphold a commitment to shared academic governance.

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Additional Information

The College of Engineering,https://engineering.illinoisstate.edu/, emphasizes student success, diversity, and workforce development. Its educational vision combines core engineering knowledge with practical and interdisciplinary experiences to prepare students with the attitudes, behaviors, and skills of engineering professionals. The chairperson will help translate this vision into departmental priorities, meaningful faculty support, and opportunities for student learning and success.

The College of Engineering now occupies a new facility at Campus East, with teaching and research laboratories, classrooms, makerspace, shops, and a student success center. The department benefits from industry engagement and an external advisory board. The College of Engineering, founded in 2022, is the newest college at Illinois State University and welcomed its second entering class during the fall of 2026.

Illinois State University, IllinoisState.edu, is an R2 institution, founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in seven colleges. Our strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$195,000–$215,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Required Qualifications

1) A Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field.
2) A record of research and teaching excellence, with scholarship, teaching, and service that merits appointment as an Associate or Full Professor at Illinois State University.
3) Administrative and/or leadership experience pertaining to faculty mentorship and evaluation, program/curricular development, and supervision of faculty and staff.
4) Experience with the process of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation, specifically accreditation of undergraduate mechanical engineering program.
5) A record of continuous, full-time tenure-track employment in ABET accredited Mechanical Engineering department(s) for at least 6 years.
6) Demonstrated oral proficiency in English, as required by state law.

Preferred Qualifications

1) Demonstrated experience leading faculty and staff through collaborative planning, sound decision-making, and shared academic governance, with the ability to establish clear expectations and address concerns constructively.
2) Experience mentoring and evaluating faculty across career stages, providing constructive feedback, and supporting professional growth in teaching, scholarship, service, leadership, and promotion and tenure pathways.
3) A record of building collaborative relationships across disciplines and academic units, supporting a collegial departmental culture, and fostering industry and community partnerships.

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

July 1, 2027

Required Applicant Documents

1) Curriculum vitae.
2) Cover letter describing experience related to qualifications and the responsibilities of this position.
3) Statement of leadership approach, including shared governance, faculty and staff development, and student success.
4) Names, titles, and contact information of three professional references.

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of application materials will begin December 5, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization. The University will cover the selected candidate’s processing fees, except this position is not eligible for the $100,000 supplemental fee for new H1-B petitions.

Contact Information for Applicants

Kathi Cannon, kacann1@ilstu.edu, (309) 438-5430

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.