Assistant Dean of Engineering, Student Recruitment and Retention

Merrimack College; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 78,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, invites applications for an innovative, student-centered Assistant Dean of Engineering in the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences. This 12-month administrative appointment focuses on recruitment, engagement, and retention across ECS and will lead the iTEC Scholars Program.

The role includes teaching one course per semester, building partnerships with local schools, and guiding students from onboarding through graduation, with an emphasis on

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or a closely related field.
• At least three years of experience in higher education, STEM education, or student success programming.
• Demonstrated success in student recruitment, engagement, or retention initiatives.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment, engagement, and student success across the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences.
• Provide vision and strategic oversight for the iTEC Scholars Program.
• Coordinate mentoring, advising, and professional development opportunities.
• Teach one Engineering course per semester.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to align curricular and student support.
• Track progress and implement retention strategies.

Skills

Strong communication

Collaboration

Leadership

Education

Master's degree in engineering or related field

PhD or terminal degree (preferred)

Job description

Merrimack College is a selective, private college in a beautiful, residential setting — just minutes from Boston,Massachusetts.

Position Overview

Merrimack Collegeseeks an innovative and student-centered leader to serve as theAssistant Dean of Engineering, focused on student recruitment andretention in the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences(ECS). This 12-month administrative appointment plays a pivotalrole in advancing student recruitment, engagement, and retentionacross all ECS programs and will serve as Director of theInnovation through Engineering and Computing (iTEC) ScholarsProgram—a flagship initiative supporting success for studentspursuing degrees in engineering, computing, and relatedfields.

The Assistant Dean will lead efforts to attract, support, andretain diverse and talented students, strengthen partnerships withlocal schools, and create meaningful engagement opportunities thatconnect students to faculty, peers, and career pathways. Theposition includes teaching one course per semester aligned with thecandidate’s background and expertise.

Primary Responsibilities

The Assistant Dean will leadefforts to enhance recruitment, engagement, and student successacross the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences. Primary areas of responsibility include:

Leadership and Program Direction

• Provide vision and strategic oversight for the iTEC ScholarsProgram, including recruitment, community-building, and academicsuccess initiatives.
• Coordinate mentoring, advising, and professional developmentopportunities that foster belonging and student persistence.

Recruitment and Outreach

• Develop and implement strategies to recruit prospectiveengineering and computing students, with a focus on buildingrelationships with local high schools, community colleges, and STEMorganizations.
• Organize outreach events, summer camps, and pre-collegeexperiences that highlight the value and rigor of ECSprograms.
• Partner with the Admissions and Marketing teams to promote ECSprograms through targeted communications and campus visits.

Student Engagement and Retention

• Collaborate with faculty and staff to strengthen the studentexperience from first-year onboarding through graduation.
• Design and support initiatives that enhance student connection,academic success, and professional readiness.
• Work closely with the Office of Student Success to trackprogress, identify at-risk students, and implement proactiveretention strategies.

Instruction and Collaboration

• Teach one Engineering course per semester in the candidate’sarea of expertise.
• Serve as a bridge between academic and student support units,aligning curricular and co-curricular opportunities to supportstudent growth.
• Contribute to data collection, assessment, and reportingrelated to recruitment and retention outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or a closely related field.
• At least three years of experience in higher education, STEMeducation, or student success programming.
• Demonstrated success in student recruitment, engagement, orretention initiatives.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadershipskills.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant field.
• Experience developing or managing educational outreach orpre-college programs.
• Background in teaching or mentoring students in engineering,computing, or related disciplines.

Application Materials Should Include

• Resume or CV
• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position,citing experience relevant to the qualifications and includingexperience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinianmission and our values.
• Teaching Statement
• Contact information for three professional references

Work Location

This is an on-campus position asemployees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus,residential college experience for our students and thecommunity.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminalbackground check.

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is aCatholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed tobuilding an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is toenlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired byour Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truththrough inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and cancontribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. Allcandidates should describe in their application how they willfoster a culture that supports our mission.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinianinstitution of higher education in New England, Merrimack Collegeis a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than4,100 undergraduate, 2,500 graduate students and 50 doctoralstudents from 48 states and 63 countries. The College features morethan 160 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduateprograms, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionateabout their subject and student success. The College has sixschools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences,nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, theGirard school of business and the graduate school of counseling andsocial work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just northof Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’sColleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in theCarnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions inthe country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News &World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 38th in theRegional Universities North category in 2026. Merrimack is a NCAADivision I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary Range

$78,000

- $110,000