Shonk Chair for Head of Economics and Business

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Department of Economics and Business at the Colorado School of Mines (Mines) is seeking a visionary and inspirational leader to be the first-ever Shonk Chair for the Head of Economics and Business.

This endowed position was recently established as part of a $5.5M gift from Lowell and Cheryl Shonk. Their endowment yields discretionary funds and graduate fellowships to support strategic initiatives that advance the impact, quality, and reputation of programs in the Department of Economics and Business.

We seek a dynamic and enthusiastic leader who can develop and implement a vision that is aligned with the university’s strategic plan, and that:

• positions our Mineral and Energy Economics program so that it remains highly regarded world-wide and is engaged in the national and international conversations that will set policies and the technical directions for minerals and energy in the future,
• grows enrollment in our recently launched Business Engineering and Management Science bachelor’s degree program,
• increases the accessibility of our Engineering and Technology Management master’s degree to students around the world,
• delivers programming that increases business acumen among all Mines’ students as needed in technical industries and entrepreneurial pursuits, and
• enhances the visibility and impact of Economic and Business outside Mines and outside academia.

Responsibilities

While accomplishing the primary goals discussed above, the Shonk Chair for the Head of Economics and Business is expected to:

• work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment within the Department, with other Mines’ leaders, and with external partners,
• increase alumni and industry engagement and the number of external partnerships, and
• increase external funding and attract philanthropic investments for research and education in economics and business at Mines.

The Shonk Chair for the Head of Economics and Business is also responsible for the following that are expected of every Department Head at Mines:

• oversee management of the Department, so that it delivers on its education and research mission and makes best use of its resources.
• ensure alignment of the department with the university’s strategic plan.
• encourage, promote and support continued professional growth of faculty and staff.
• oversee recruitment and retention of excellent faculty, staff, and students.
• administer and lead the renewal of curricular and teaching activities.
• represent the Department to the university administration, other university units, industry, and to public and private agencies at the local, regional, national, and international levels, and
• lead fund-raising, budget preparation, and management.

In addition, Department Heads at Mines are active in classroom instruction, graduate student mentoring, and they maintain active research programs.

For further information about the position or the Department vision, please contact Prof. Dean Nieusma (search chair) at nieusma@mines.edu

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. in Economics, Mineral Economics, Management Science, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, or any field related to the degree programs and courses offered by the Department of Economics and Business.
• Proven record of accomplishment in research, education and service that meet the criteria for appointment at the rank of Professor at Mines. 
• Academic administrative experience including budget oversight and evidence of successful personnel and financial management.
• Experience collaborating in interdisciplinary academic and professional contexts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Inspiring leadership, enthusiasm, effective interpersonal communication, and organizational skills.
• High ethical standards and ability to operate in a transparent and collegial way.
• Ability to be responsive to the needs of the faculty, staff, and students within the Department.
• Experience balancing teaching, research, and administrative duties; specific experience with prioritization and balancing competing priorities that are typical in a leadership role.
• Experience mentoring faculty and staff, including faculty and/or employee development and growth.

University and Department Description

Mines’ location in the Denver/Boulder metropolitan area provides opportunities for collaborations with colleagues at other universities, in industry and at multiple government labs such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the United States Geological Survey (USG