Dear colleagues,
As we commence the search for the next Dean of the Thayer School of Engineering, we invite Dartmouth faculty, staff, and graduate students to share your perspectives on the qualities, priorities, and opportunities that should guide this appointment. Your counsel will inform the position profile and the search process. Specifically, we welcome your perspective on the School’s opportunities and challenges, and on the qualities we should seek in the next dean. We also welcome advice on the composition of the search committee to ensure appropriate breadth across disciplines, faculty and staff roles, student voices, and collaborative programs across Dartmouth.
Given Thayer’s deep partnerships across Dartmouth, these cross-school sessions are open to faculty, staff, and graduate students from Thayer, Geisel, Arts and Sciences, Guarini, and Tuck. We would be grateful for comments on:
- Opportunities — Translational research with Geisel, entrepreneurship with Tuck, cross-listed curricula with A&S, shared facilities, industry partnerships;
- Challenges — Sustainable funding models, faculty and staff capacity, access to core facilities, space planning, student success and well-being;
- Qualities for the next dean — Intellectual leadership, stewardship of research and graduate training, commitment to equity and inclusion, operational acumen, external engagement and fundraising;
- Search committee composition — Representation across schools, ranks, roles (faculty, staff, students), and key collaborative areas.
Listening session options (open across schools):
- Friday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to Noon in Haldeman 041
- Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Rockefeller 002
Thayer-only session options:
- All Thayer: Monday, Oct. 13 from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in ECSC 116
- Faculty only: Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 3:20 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. in ECSC 116
Faculty, staff, and graduate students are welcome to attend any session convenient to your schedule. Kindly RSVP, and please indicate your school/role. If you prefer, you may send comments—including confidential suggestions regarding committee composition—to the Office of the Provost or via the Community Input Form.
Thank you for your time and thoughtful counsel. Your perspectives are essential as we work together to identify a leader who will steward the continued growth and success of the Thayer School of Engineering.
With appreciation,
Santiago Schnell
Provost