Dean - School of Transportation & Heavy Equipment #DS9964

Campus

OSU-Institute of Technology

Contact Name & Email

Heather Ortiz, heather.ortiz@okstate.edu

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 7:30am-4:30pm with occasional evenings and weekends.

Appointment Length

Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice

Hiring Range

$ - $

Commensurate with education and experience

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.

About this Position

GENERAL SUMMARY: 

The Dean of the School of Transportation and Heavy Equipment, STHE, reports directly to the Vice Provost and serves as the unit's senior academic leader. The School includes programs in Automotive Service Technologies and Diesel and Heavy Equipment. The Dean provides strategic leadership for the School's personnel, academic offerings, resources, and facilities. As a member of the University's Academic Council, the Dean represents the School and the institution with internal and external stakeholders and advances its academic mission and priorities.

SCHOOL SUMMARY:

The School of Transportation and Heavy Equipment is a workforce-driven academic unit that prepares students for immediate, high-demand careers in the automotive and heavy equipment industries. The School serves approximately 255 students as of Fall 2025. With 9-degree paths spanning automotive service technologies and diesel and heavy equipment, STHE delivers hands-on learning in industry-aligned facilities with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Programs are co-designed with national industry partners — including but not limited to Ford, General Motors, Caterpillar, Komatsu, and North American Equipment Dealers Association — and most incorporate paid internships with sponsoring dealerships, ensuring students graduate with verified technical competencies and direct employer connections. Multiple programs hold specialized accreditation through the ASE Education Foundation and the AED Foundation. Through these deep industry partnerships and a strong graduate employment rate, STHE advances student success while meeting critical workforce needs in transportation and heavy equipment sectors regionally and nationally.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Should possess the credentials necessary to qualify as a faculty member for one of the School’s programs; graduate degree(s) highly preferred. Individuals with alternate combinations of credentials and/or experience may be considered.

Experience:

• A history of demonstrating ethical and professional behavior.
• Five or more years of progressive experience in collaborative management and leadership; experience in higher education administration preferred.
• Postsecondary teaching experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success in collaborating with distinct constituencies.

Certifications, Registrations, and/or Licenses:

• Valid Oklahoma driver’s license.

Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to plan, organize and fulfill complex initiatives.
• Knowledge of and experience in working with technology.
• Ability to research and interpret federal, state and institutional policies.
• Understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing higher education; comprehension of land-grant colleges and universities preferred.
• Ability to effectively engage community and industry leaders and alumni.
• Ability to maintain high standards of work, initiative, commitment, ethics, professional responsibility and judgment.
• Understanding of qualitative and quantitative data analysis, budgeting and reporting.
• Ability to work effectively with and promote various populations.
• Superior interpersonal skills—including the ability to effectively recognize and resolve complex problems in a constructive manner.

Communication Skills:

• Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills, exercise decorum in all interactions with stakeholders, and be able to effectively recognize and mitigate conflict.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree.