The University of Oklahoma
Dean, College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences
and
Director, National Weather Center
The University of Oklahoma invites nominations and applications for the combined position of Dean of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and Director of the National Weather Center. This is a one-of-a-kind, senior leadership position for a visionary, dynamic and energetic leader with the skills to foster collaboration, communication and cooperation among academic, governmental and industry partners in a setting of academic excellence.
The University of Oklahoma has engaged in a purposeful program of strategic investment over many years to promote growth in the community of academic, government, military and private sector entities that employ more than one thousand professionals. The opportunity now is for a leader to transform and integrate this into the nation’s foremost center for weather related and environmental research and creative activity.
The 244,000 square foot National Weather Center building is the anchor of a unique research and learning community including the nation’s largest academic meteorology program, several Federal government research, operations and support organizations, and more than a half dozen private weather and weather technology-related companies – all located within a few hundred yards of each other on the University’s Research Campus. The university has invested heavily in its infrastructure and people to promote innovation and enhance collaborative projects, including the world’s highest resolution dual polarized radar (known as OU-PRIME) and a new state-of-the-art radar laboratory, and other innovative facilities. In total, more than 700 weather professionals are employed on the University Campus, and coupled with 100 graduate students and 250 undergraduates, the overall result is a dynamic, interactive community where learning extends well beyond the classroom and research is linked directly with practical application.
The College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences is composed of three academic units and ten research and service units. The academic units are the Department of Geography, School of Meteorology, and Program in Geoinformatics. The research and service units are the Atmospheric Radar Research Center, Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms, Center for Spatial Analysis, Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, Environmental Verification and Analysis Center, Oklahoma Alliance for Geographical Education, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, Oklahoma NASA Space Grant Consortium and Office of Weather Programs and Projects. http://ags.ou.edu
The Geography Department integrates an understanding of Earth's physical system and biosphere with knowledge of social, economic, and political systems, as well as the interaction among the various subsystems. Its research and teaching missions are organized around three broad areas of emphasis: Natural Resources and Physical Systems; Cultural Geography and Indigenous Societies; and Critical Geopolitics. The technical areas (GIS, Remote Sensing, Cartography, GPS, analytical methods) are woven through all three areas. The Department’s overarching educational goal is to train individuals who have an improved awareness of environmental issues and also possess the theoretical and technical skills necessary for professional success. http://geography.ou.edu
The School of Meteorology is internationally recognized for innovative, state-of-the-science education and research in mesoscale meteorology, radar meteorology, numerical weather prediction, boundary and surface-layer meteorology and global/regional climate studies. Faculty members provide leadership in many of the aforementioned national research and service centers. Its renowned innovative, student-oriented curriculum options, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, result in its graduates serving in prestigious appointments throughout the world. http://som.ou.edu
The Geoinformatics Program emphasizes multidisciplinary integrated research and education in Earth observation and Modeling, spatial representation, spatial database and algorithm development, spatial analysis, visualization and geocomputation to advance remote sensing, GIS, and visual analytics for the understanding of human and natural processes across local, regional, and global scales. The program synergizes three key university strategic research areas: Radar Initiative, Life Science Initiative, and Applied Social Research Initiative, to develop spatially integrated research in weather, ecosystems, epidemiology, and human environments. Geoinformatics students and faculty work closely on research projects that lead to new methodology and knowledge of the changing Earth systems and human society. http://geoinformatics.ou.edu
Responsibilities: The Dean and Director provides academic, intellectual and administrative leadership for the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and the National Weather Center and reports jointly to the Senior Vice President and Provost and to the President on broad policy and budget issues, and external relations of the college. The Dean and Director is responsible for the quality and effectiveness of education, research and service programs and serves as the chief spokesperson with external constituencies including advisory boards, donors and the atmospheric and geographic sciences professions. As Director, the successful applicant will guide, nurture, and inspire innovative research, collaboration and the creation of new opportunities among the unique confluence of university, government and private sector assets and oversees National Weather Center operations. As Dean, the appointee will serve as a member of the University leadership and have overall responsibility for decision-making in the areas of faculty and staff recruitment, development and retention; resource allocation, and facilities and equipment management. The Dean’s Office also oversees the National Weather Center Library and Research Computing Services. The appointee is expected to champion diversity, facilitate interdepartmental and interagency communication and present a professional image as the key representative of the College and the National Weather Center.
Qualifications: Candidates must have appropriate academic and professional credentials. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong commitment to and understanding of the atmospheric, geographic and environmental sciences. Proven leadership, integrity, and managerial and administrative success in large academic and professional settings are required. The successful applicant will have the skills needed for supporting the implementation of an aggressive business development and economic outreach strategy in order to advance the college’s global educational, research, development, technology deployment and economic growth initiatives. He or she must have the capacity to secure resources that support college activities, including fundraising and the ability to maintain supportive relationships within the College, University, State of Oklahoma, the local community and among alumni, practicing professionals and professional organizations. The candidate will be a dynamic leader with the broad perspective to envision new ways to integrate disciplines across the University.
The University: Established in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university offering a wide variety of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs and extensive continuing education and public service programs. Its 2,000 acre Norman campus houses 15 colleges with approximately 1,300 faculty serving over 26,000 students. Located 20 miles south of Oklahoma City, Norman has a population of 103,000 making it the third largest city in Oklahoma. Norman, which is known for its quality of life and affordability and nationally recognized for its livability, is rich in culture and the arts with outstanding public schools and a variety of recreational resources.
Applications and Nominations: Review of nominations, indications of interest and applications will begin December 1, 2009, and the search will continue until the position is filled. The preferred start date is July 1, 2010. Further inquiries for additional information should be directed to the Chair of the search committee. Formal candidates will be requested to submit a letter of interest demonstrating how the candidate fulfills the qualifications for this position, a detailed resume, and the names of at least five references (including mail and email addresses and telephone/fax numbers) who will only be contacted upon approval from the applicant. Electronic submission in PDF format is preferred.
Nominations and applications should be directed to:
Rich Taylor
Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences Dean Search Committee Chair
Dean of the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts
Carpenter Hall, Room 104, Norman, OK 73019
Email: rich.taylor@ou.edu
Phone: (405) 325-7370
FAX: (405) 325-1667
The University of Oklahoma is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
employer
and encourages diversity in the workplace.
