Shonk Chair for the 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 graduate 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
• Enhances the visibility and impact of the Department of Economic and Business beyond Mines and beyond 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 engagement with alumni and industry and increase the number of external partnerships
• Raise 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 duties that are expected of every Department Head at Mines:

• Oversee management of the department, so 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 in the renewal of curricula and teaching activities
• Represent the department to university administration, other university units, industry, and public and private agencies at the local, regional, national and international levels
• Lead departmental fund-raising, budget preparation and financial management

In addition to their leadership responsibilities, Department Heads at Mines are active in classroom instruction and typically participate in graduate-student mentoring and maintain active research programs.

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

This position is seeking an individual that would fit the criteria of either a full professor or a professor of practice at the Colorado School of Mines.

Minimum Qualifications for full professor or professor of practice

• For full professor:
  • PhD in Business, Economics, Industrial Engineering, Mineral Economics, Management Science, Operations Research or another field related to the degree programs and courses offered by the Department of Economics and Business
  • Proven record of accomplishment in research, education, service and obtaining external funding that meet the criteria for appointment at the rank of professor at Mines
  • Administrative experience with budget oversight and allocation decisions with evidence of successful personnel and financial management
  • Experience collaborating across diverse disciplines or stakeholder communities in academic contexts
     
• For Professor of Practice:
  • Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Industrial Engineering, Mineral Economics, Management Science, Operations Research or another field related to the degree programs and courses offered by the Department of Economics and Business
  • 20 years in industry with a proven record of accomplishment in executive leadership roles that meet the criteria for appointment at the rank of Professor of Practice at Mines
  • Experience with budget oversight and allocation decisions with evidence of successful personnel and financial management
  • Experience collabora