North Carolina A&T State University - Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in its search for Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

For full consideration, please apply by November 5, 2026.

The next Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECEN) will join North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) at a time of continued growth and momentum in engineering, research, and graduate education. With the ability to shape ECEN’s future direction, the next leader will identify emerging areas in electrical and computer engineering and translate ideas into action through faculty recruitment, program and curriculum development, research growth, and industry engagement.

The successful candidate will join a college and leadership team committed to supporting the department's continued advancement. Dean Stephanie Luster-Teasley Pass brings experience as a former department chair, researcher, and academic administrator and is committed to supporting new ideas, helping identify resources, and enabling departments to move their priorities forward. Administrative support within ECEN will allow the Chair to focus on both the immediate leadership of the department and its longer-term direction.

ECEN is one of the College’s largest departments, with approximately 21 full-time faculty and five professional staff serving 575 students across bachelor’s programs in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering and master’s and doctoral programs in Electrical Engineering. The department is positioned to build upon its strengths while expanding its impact in areas shaping the future of the field, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, energy, and other emerging areas.

Reporting to the Dean, the Chair serves as ECEN’s academic leader and chief administrative officer, with approximately 65% of the role dedicated to administrative leadership, 20% to research, and 15% to teaching.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide academic and administrative leadership for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, advancing its teaching, research, service, and accreditation missions.
• Direct departmental operations, strategic planning, budget and resource allocation, and ABET accreditation and compliance.
• Recruit, mentor, develop, and evaluate faculty and staff, supporting their success and fostering a collaborative departmental environment.
• Sustain extramurally funded research aligned with the College research priorities or emerging areas in electrical and computer engineering while mentoring faculty and graduate researchers and expanding collaborative research initiatives.
• Lead curriculum advancement, pedagogical innovation, and continuous assessment to maintain academic quality and ensure graduates are well prepared for a rapidly evolving field.
• Identify and advance opportunities for program growth, including graduate and doctoral education and emerging areas within electrical and computer engineering. 
• Cultivate relationships and partnerships with industry, alumni, donors, and corporate partners.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses and mentor students consistent with the Chair's administrative responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Strategic and forward-looking leadership with the capacity to establish a clear vision and direction for the department.
• Knowledge of emerging directions and opportunities in electrical and computer engineering.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to listen, build trust, navigate differing perspectives, and engage faculty and staff around shared goals.  
• Administrative experience to lead department operations, budget oversight, and office management 
• Effective faculty mentorship and development skills, with the ability to support faculty success and professional growth.
• Ability to develop productive partnerships across academic, industry, and community stakeholders.
• Commitment to advancing academic and professional success in engineering and fostering a strong departmental culture.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of six years of demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and scholarly activities, with qualifications commensurate with appointment at the rank of Full Professor.
• Relevant administrative experience with demonstrated ability to lead, support, and unify collaborative teams in accomplishing complex tasks on time and within budget.
• Strong record of scholarly publications and sustained extramural research funding.

Preferred: Professional Engineering (PE) license preferred but not required.

About North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University

N.C. A&T is a top-flight doctoral research institution and the nation’s largest historically Black university. An 1890 land-grant university within the University of North Carolina System, N.C. A&T is nationally recognized for excellence in STEM education, research, and inclusive student success. With an enrollment of more than 15,000 students, the University offers a broad portfolio of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs and serves as one of North Carolina’s leading public research engines.

N.C. A&T is in an exciting period of growth and transformation, guided by its strategic plan, Preeminence 2030: North Carolina A&T Blueprint, and supported by a rapidly expanding research enterprise that generates $147 million annually in sponsored research funding and programs. The University’s impact is profound, contributing more than $2.4 billion annually to the North Carolina economy and advancing innovation and opportunity across the state and beyond.

About the College of Engineering

The College of Engineering (COE) at North Carolina A&T State University is home to approximately 2,700 students and offers ABET-accredited undergraduate programs and a broad portfolio of master’s and doctoral programs. The College combines a strong commitment to engineering education with a growing research enterprise and prepares graduates to address complex technological and societal challenges.

Research and innovation span five core clusters: Autonomous Systems; Cybersecurity and Resilience; Energy and Sustainability; Healthcare Applications; and Complex Systems and Networks. The College continues to expand its research and graduate education capacity, including 9 MS programs, 5 Ph.D. programs and the addition of the 2026 approval of a new Ph.D. in Bioengineering, further extending its doctoral offerings and interdisciplinary research opportunities.

The College includes seven academic departments: Chemical, Biological, and Bio Engineering; Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering; Computer Science; Computational Data Science and Engineering; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Industrial and Systems Engineering; and Mechanical Engineering.

Living in the Area

Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, N.C. A&T sits in the state’s third-largest city and a dynamic hub in the Piedmont Triad region. It is centrally positioned within the state, with convenient access to Winston-Salem, High Point, and the broader region. Piedmont Triad International Airport and several major interstate highways provide easy connections throughout North Carolina and the Southeast.

Greensboro offers an extensive mix of arts, culture, sports, recreation, dining, and outdoor activities. The city is home to the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, Greensboro Science Center, major collegiate and professional sporting events, museums, gardens, and an extensive parks and trail system. Downtown Greensboro continues to serve as a center for dining, entertainment, public spaces, and cultural activities, while the surrounding area offers a range of established neighborhoods and residential communities.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by November 5, 2026. 

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

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

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to [email protected].
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to [email protected].

Institutional Information
North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.