Dean, College of Engineering

Position Description

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Dean, College of Engineering

Lamar University (LU) invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the

College of Engineering. The college has been central to the major transformation of the

institution over the past decade, and seeks a dynamic and visionary leader experienced in the

development and nurturing of undergraduate and graduate programs of excellence, providing

effective support to faculty for the conduct of research and the attraction of funding from a

variety of agencies and industries to support it. In addition, experience in the creation of

entrepreneurial and fundraising activities, development of centers of excellence, the

establishment and cultivation of cross-disciplinary research and teaching initiatives and the

management of a complex academic unit underpinned by collegiality and inclusiveness is also

expected.

About Lamar University

Lamar University, a 270-acre

campus, is one of the fastest

growing universities in the

country with enrollment

steadily increasing to more

than 15,000. The university is

classified as a Doctoral

Research University in

the Carnegie Classification of

Institutions of Higher

Education and is one of only

two universities classified as

such within The Texas State

University System. LU offers

more than 100 programs of

study leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It has been recognized nationally

for its general education core curriculum, leadership in online education, being one of the 100

most diverse campuses in the country, and selection as a member of the Honor Roll of the

Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For.” Small class sizes and a low

student-to-faculty ratio allow students to build meaningful relationships with expert faculty who

truly care about their success. LU fosters academic achievement by emphasizing hands-on

learning at all levels, providing ample opportunities for undergraduate research and supporting

an excellent Honors College. The university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Several LU colleges and programs hold

additional specialized certifications and accreditations recognizing their quality and expertise.

Additional information about the university is available at: http://www.lamar.edu.

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University Mission Statement

Lamar University is a comprehensive public institution educating a diverse student body,

preparing students for leadership and lifelong learning in a multicultural world, and enhancing

the future of Southeast Texas, the state, the nation, and the world through teaching, research

and creative activity, and service.

Student Life

More than 2,500 students live on campus in modern, apartment-style residence halls known as

Cardinal Village, which feature private bedrooms and nicely furnished living areas. All Lamar

University students have access to the gourmet dining hall and the spacious Sheila Umphrey

Recreational Sports Center, a showpiece facility with a 43-foot climbing wall, all the latest

workout equipment and a wide range of intramural sports. Beyond the classroom, Lamar

University students develop leadership skills and lifelong friendships in more than 180 campus

clubs and organizations. Students make an impact through nationally affiliated fraternities and

sororities, professional associations, cultural groups, religious clubs and service organizations.

Athletics

Lamar University students enjoy cheering on the

Cardinals in fifteen NCAA Division I men’s and

women’s sports. Competing in the Southland

Conference, Cardinals teams have a history of winning

championships in sports including men’s and women’s

basketball, volleyball, golf and cross country. The

baseball program has produced multiple major

leaguers. LU’s football program heightens excitement

on campus with students involved in marching band,

cheerleading, the dance team and all the fun of game-day tailgating.

The College of Engineering

The College of Engineering is arguably the

university’s most respected academic unit.

Lamar's birth was due in large part to the

demand for technically trained individuals in the

area after the 1901 Spindletop oil discovery,

making Beaumont, Texas one of the most

heavily industrialized areas of the United States.

The school was founded in 1923 as a junior

college. On September 1, 1951, the Texas

Legislature advanced it to a four-year institution,

renamed Lamar State College of Technology. The legislature specifically noted that the

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institution would emphasize engineering, technology, and science to serve the region’s large

industrial base. Lamar immediately began granting engineering degrees in 1951 and in 1970 its

history and success as a science and technology school again was a driving force in a name

change. The state authorized Lamar to offer its first doctoral degree program, the doctor of

engineering, and then a dream shared by many became a reality on May 3, 1971, when

Governor Preston Smith signed a bill changing the name of Lamar State College of

Technology to Lamar University. In 2005, Lamar's first Ph.D program was established in the

College of Engineering: the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering.

Due to the reputation and success of the College of Engineering, Beaumont was recently

ranked 2nd in the U.S. among the “Best Cities for Chemical Engineers” and the college was

ranked 11th for “Top ROI Schools for Engineering Majors.” It contains five academic

departments (Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering), and 10

research centers, coordinated under the Texas Centers for Technology Incubation (TCTI) (three

for environmental research, Center for Fuel Cell and Energy Systems, Green Composite

Research Center, Center of Transportation/Ports and Waterways, Center for Process and

Information Technology, Aldredge Air Quality Modeling Center, Material Instrumentation Center,

Renewable Energy Center) has 38 full-time faculty, 15 full-time staff, more than 800

undergraduate majors and 300 graduate students, and attracts approximately $3.5 million

annually in external funding. Programs in the college have been designated by the State as

well as by the university community as initiatives of excellence. The college is accredited by the

Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, and the date of the next ABET comprehensive

review is 2018-2019. For more information please visit:

nttp://main.abet.org/aps/AccreditedProgramsDetails.aspx?OrganizationID=395.

College of Engineering Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide an environment and infrastructure to support the educational

objectives of the College of Engineering programs. The college establishes an interface to the

university and the entities external to the university to provide and prepare engineering students

to be leaders and problem-solvers. The college supports a foundation of strong theoretical

emphasis, the development of practical engineering skills, experience in interpersonal

communication and teamwork, and an emphasis on ethics, professional conduct and critical

thinking. We offer strong and varied academic programs to a diverse student population that

prepares our graduates for the challenges of lifelong learning.

Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, and

other natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to

develop economic ways of using materials and energy for the benefit of mankind. The chemical

engineer is a fit for almost every modern industry. From petroleum to synthetic rubber, from

semiconductor to medicines, the chemical engineer engages in design, research, development,

production, sales, and management. Among the fields in which the chemical engineer is of

prime importance are petroleum, petrochemicals, metals, plastics, paints, drugs and foods,

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paper, glass, dyes, synthetic fibers, and a host of

others.

Mission

The Chemical Engineering Department will

provide the program, environment, facilities,

faculty, and staff to prepare and educate each

student to be a leader/problem-solver for industry,

academia, or government.

Program Educational Objectives

The following broad statements describe what the department’s undergraduate chemical

engineering graduates are fully expected to attain a few years after graduation.

1. Successfully pursue a chemical engineering career in traditional and non-traditional

industries and/or pursue an advanced degree;

2. Engage in lifelong learning and advance the practice of chemical engineering in a

socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible manner; and

3. Advance professionally with increasing leadership and responsibility beyond entry level

Student Outcomes

The student outcomes used by the chemical engineering program are those published in the

ABET “Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs” document. Those outcomes are as

follows:

Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;

Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;

Ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic

constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety,

manufacturability, and sustainability;

Ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;

Ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;

Understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a

global, economic, environmental, and societal context;

Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning;

Knowledge of contemporary issues; and

Ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for

engineering practice.

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Program Criteria

The Chemical Engineering Program criterion as listed in the ABET "Criteria for Accrediting

Engineering Programs" is as follows:

The curriculum must provide a thorough grounding in the basic sciences including chemistry,

physics, and biology, with some content at an advanced level, as appropriate to the objectives

of the program. The curriculum must include the engineering application of these basic sciences

to the design, analysis, and control of chemical, physical, and/or biological processes, including

the hazards associated with these processes.

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Master of Engineering (Ch.E.) (non-thesis)

Master of Engineering Science (Ch.E.)(thesis)

Doctor of Engineering (Ch.E.)(thesis)

Ph.D. (Ch.E.)

For more information please visit: http://engineering.lamar.edu/chemical/

Department of Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is a people-serving

profession and as such is vital to the world’s

economic, political, and social well-being. The

many areas to which civil engineers make

substantial contributions include bridges,

dams and levees, harbors, waterways and

irrigation facilities, buildings, airports,

highways, pipelines, railroads, power lines,

water supply systems, and waste treatment

facilities. Civil engineers engage in a wide

range of activities such as research, design,

development, management, and the control

of engineering systems and their

components. With today’s fast-paced technological changes, civil engineering provides unique

and unlimited career opportunities that can only be met by professionally educated people.

The civil engineering program is designed with a broad base to prepare men and women for

careers in various phases of civil engineering and to enable them to perform other managerial

and technical functions that require scientific and engineering backgrounds. The curriculum

embraces a sound core of humanities and social studies courses in addition to those in physics,

chemistry and mathematics, which form the substructure of engineering sciences. Areas of

study include geo-technical, structural, water resources, environmental, transportation, and

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construction engineering. Electives are available to fit the individual interest of the civil

engineering student.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Civil Engineering is to provide quality education and career

skills for both undergraduate and graduate students. We produce highly qualified graduates with

potential to assume positions of increasing responsibility in the civil engineering field. The

department will achieve its mission through: (1) employing a faculty with the professional

credentials and experience to deliver quality academic programs that meet student and societal

needs; (2) serving a diverse student population by offering strong and varied academic

programs that will prepare graduates for the challenges of life-long learning; (3) offering

contemporary curricula that combine a foundation of general education and disciplinary

preparation for current practice; and (4) providing both formal and informal learning resources to

support instructional and scholarly/creative activities.

Vision

Lamar University’s Department of Civil Engineering strives to become recognized as a

regional/national/international leader in engineering education as well as in the analysis, design,

and management of civil and environmental engineering systems. To support this endeavor, the

department will seek to conduct, disseminate, and apply relevant research to influence

engineering practice and the advance of engineering education and knowledge. This will be

accomplished through strategic efforts that allow the department to effectively adapt to the ever-

changing aspects of higher education. The net effect will be that Lamar University’s civil

engineering graduates will be empowered with the knowledge, skills, and innovative thinking to

facilitate discovery in numerous existing and yet-to-be-discovered fields of endeavor.

Civil Engineering Program Educational Objectives

The objective of the BSCE program is to educate students for professional engineering practice

in the analysis, design, and construction of civil infrastructure systems. We expect our students

to attain within a few years after graduation:

Technical competence and professional development that meet the emerging and

evolving demands and increasing responsibility of civil engineers;

Communication and project management skills for effective problem solving; and

Understanding on professional ethics, public safety, cost constraints, environmental

impacts, and policy implication of civil engineering projects.

Outcome Assessment

The Civil Engineering Department has developed an assessment process to demonstrate that

the outcomes important to the objectives of its program are measured. This process is based on

input from the department’s various constituencies: alumni, employers, industrial practitioners,

CE Advisory Council members, students, and CE faculty. The process used in program

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educational outcomes assessment for quality assurance includes:

1. Choose outcomes for direct measurement;

2. Identify performance criteria;

3. Develop rubrics and standards for evaluation;

4. Perform evaluation and direct measurement for 1 through 3;

5. Collect data from other outcome assessment instruments;

6. Collectively assess for program outcome achievement using collected data; and

7. Recommend implement improvement.

The Civil Engineering Department has used a mixed mode of assessment for program

educational outcomes, which includes:

1. Rubrics and dimensions in direct measurement;

2. Surveys for alumni, employers, industrial practitioners, and graduating seniors for

indirect measurement; and

3. Individual course assessment by instructor.

Civil Engineering Student Outcomes

Student outcomes are the skills that we anticipate our students to have at the time of

graduation. The student outcomes of the Lamar University BSCE program are:

Have an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;

Have an ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze, and interpret data;

Have an ability to design a system, components, or process to meet desired needs

within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical,

health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;

Have an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;

Have an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;

Have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;

Have an ability to communicate effectively;

Have the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions

in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;

Recognize the need for and ability to engage in life-long learning;

Have a knowledge of contemporary civil engineering issues; and

Have an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for

engineering practice.

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Master of Engineering (M.E.)

Master of Engineering Science (M.E.S.)

Master of Science in Environmental Engineering

Master of Science in Environmental Studies

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Doctor of Engineering (D.E.)

For more information please visit: http://engineering.lamar.edu/civil/

Phillip M. Drayer Department of Electrical Engineering

The undergraduate program in electrical

engineering at Lamar University enjoys

a long history of academic excellence.

The program prepares graduates for a

wide range of opportunities by providing

a curriculum strongly based in

mathematics and physics and the latest

state-of-the-art material in electrical

engineering, including photonics, image

and signal processing instrumentation,

and computer and network systems

design. The interested student has

ready access to faculty and lab facilities for research.

Mission

The Department of Electrical Engineering supports the mission of the College of Engineering

and of Lamar University through teaching, research, and service designed to provide the very

best undergraduate electrical engineering education possible. It is our goal to provide our

students with a strong theoretical foundation, practical engineering skills, experience in

interpersonal communication and teamwork, and a daily emphasis on ethics, professional

conduct, and critical thinking. We prepare our graduates for successful engagement in

commercial and industrial enterprise, research and development, and graduate study. We

emphasize and support the training necessary for practice as professional engineers.

Vision Statement

Electrical engineering has gone from the simple electrical circuits of Edison and Tesla, through

the rocket science of Bode, Evans and Nyquist, to the complexity of integrated circuits and

optoelectronics. Basic telecommunications technologies that began with Bell have blossomed

into global networks with satellites, fiber optics and the Internet. Computer technology has

grown exponentially and touches all of our lives with processors embedded into a vast array of

devices that secure our safety and add an unprecedented measure of convenience to our lives.

Electrical power systems illuminate our planet and drive our industries. As this progress

conveys us into the future with new and exciting engineering challenges, Lamar Electrical

Engineers will be ready to meet those challenges.

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Educational Objectives of the Electrical Engineering Program

The educational objectives of the Lamar University Electrical Engineering program are that we

expect our graduates a few years after graduation to attain:

Successful and productive engineering careers, with emphasis on technical competency

and with attention to teamwork and effective communication;

Successful pursuit of graduate studies and life-long learning in electrical engineering and

related fields; and

A state of professionalism with development of professional ethics, professional

licensing, and active participation in the affairs of the profession.

Student Outcomes of the Electrical Engineering Program

The educational outcomes that our students can expect to derive from the electrical engineering

program are the following:

An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;

An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;

An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within

realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health

and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;

An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;

An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;

An ability to communicate effectively;

The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a

global, economic, environmental, and societal context;

A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning;

A knowledge of contemporary issues; and

Ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for

engineering practice.

Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Science – Electrical Engineering (BSEE)

Master of Engineering

Master of Engineering Science

Doctor of Engineering

For more information please visit: http://engineering.lamar.edu/electrical/index.html

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Department of Industrial Engineering

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide quality

education and meaningful career

opportunities for both undergraduate and

graduate students. We develop highly

qualified graduates with potential to

assume positions of increasing

responsibility.

Our mission will be accomplished by

recruiting and educating qualified

students in an accredited curriculum of

academic course work and experiences.

Demand for graduates will be driven by frequent contact with employers through initiatives such

as advisory council meetings, continuing education, co-op programs, consultation,

research/development/publications, and student projects.

Vision

Our vision is to be the “Preferred Provider of Industrial Engineering Graduates and Technology.”

We will accomplish our vision by:

Recruiting quality students;

Developing employer-focused relationships;

Increasing supporting resources; and

Integrating academic course work and industrial engineering experiences.

Industrial Engineering Department Goals

1. Recruit high-quality industrial engineering students;

2. Prepare students with skills to compete through course work in accredited program;

3. Enhance students' career opportunities through frequent employer contracts and work

experiences;

4. Encourage students to develop leadership skills;

5. Encourage students to pursue life-long learning;

6. Develop relationships with employers of industrial engineering skills;

7. Increase department resources through growth in enrollment, development and funded

projects;

8. Conduct applied research and publish results with the ultimate goal of technology

transfer for the betterment of mankind; and

9. Provide exemplary service for the benefit of the university, the Beaumont metropolitan

community, the State of Texas and global business and industrial organizations, and the

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engineering professions.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science Industrial Engineering (On Campus or 2+2 Online)

Bachelor of Science Industrial Technology (Online)

Master of Engineering (MEIE, non-thesis)

Master of Engineering Science (MESIE, thesis)

Master of Engineering Management (MEM) (On Campus or Online)

Doctor of Engineering (DEIE)

For more information please visit: http://engineering.lamar.edu/industrial/

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Mission

The mission of the Department of

Mechanical Engineering at Lamar

University is to provide high-quality

education and meaningful career

opportunities for its

graduates. Highly competent

graduates who can assume

professional positions of increasing

responsibility are the intended end

product. Recruiting and educating

students in an accredited

curriculum of course work and

experiences will accomplish the

mission. Demand for graduates of the department will be enhanced by frequent contact with

potential employers through initiatives such as co-op programs, consultations, research and

development, and student projects. The outcome of the goals of the mission will be assessed by

frequent contact with the employers, alumni, and other intended sources. Corrective actions will

be taken, as necessary, based on the input provided, to minimize deviation from the stated

mission.

Vision

The vision of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Lamar University is to be a leader in

training students for the mechanical engineering profession. The mechanical engineer may be

perceived as one who is engaged in a diverse profession encompassing the analysis, design,

synthesis, and material optimization for a wide variety of mechanical and thermal systems. The

mechanical engineer must work closely with other engineering disciplines to provide tools and

equipment components to enable them to practice their professions. In order to cover this wide

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range of requirements, the mechanical engineer needs a solid foundation in basic sciences,

mathematical sciences and engineering.

Mechanical Engineering Program Educational Objectives

The educational objective of the undergraduate mechanical engineering program at Lamar

University is that our graduates are successful, practicing mechanical engineers, demonstrating

increasing professional responsibilities within three to five years of employment as they grow

through problem solving and learning.

Mechanical Engineering Student Outcomes

The purpose of the mechanical engineering program of Lamar University is to ensure that the

graduates:

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;

Design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and interpret results;

Design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic

constraints, such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety,

manufacturability, and sustainability;

Function in multidisciplinary teams;

Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;

Understand professional and ethical responsibilities;

Communicate effectively, in writing and orally;

Understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context through

a broad education;

Recognize the need for life-long learning;

Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues; and

Use the techniques, skills, and modern tools of engineering effectively and correctly in

engineering practice.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (MEME, non-thesis)

Master of Engineering Science in Mechanical Engineering (MESME, thesis)

Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (DEME)

For more information please visit: http://engineering.lamar.edu/mechanical/

About Beaumont

The university is located in Beaumont, Texas, a city of approximately 120,000 located about 30

miles from the Gulf of Mexico, 90 miles from Houston, and 40 miles from the Louisiana border.

Beaumont is the center of one of the largest refining and petrochemical complexes in the nation;

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in a region arguably the energy hub of the

country. The city is ranked 2nd in the U.S.

among the “Best Cities for Chemical

Engineers.” It serves the entire area as the

focus for government, education, business,

health care, entertainment, and culture, and is

also the gateway to the Big Thicket National

Preserve, a national eco-tourism treasure.

With a deepwater port, enviable rail

infrastructure, abundant supplies of water,

and a workforce capable of designing,

building, and operating billion dollar

investments, Beaumont has it all. For more

information please visit: http://www.beaumontcvb.com/

The Position

The Dean will hold the endowed Charles and Eleanor Garrett Chair in Engineering and is the

college’s chief executive officer, budgetary and programmatic authority and academic leader, a

member of the Academic Council of Deans, and a direct report to the Provost and Vice

President for Academic Affairs.

Qualifications:

Earned doctorate in engineering;

Record of teaching, scholarship, and service (or equivalent private sector accomplishment

and stature) sufficient for appointment as a full professor with tenure;

Evidence of successful, progressive and entrepreneurial leadership at the level of

department chair or above;

Evidence of strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation/collaboration skills (with

specific focus on cross disciplinary teaching and research initiatives);

High academic and ethical standards and unquestioned personal and professional integrity;

Successful experience in strategic planning and fundraising;

Ability to develop and communicate a shared vision and mission within and external to the

college;

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Commitment to shared governance and to enhancing cultural diversity among students,

faculty and staff;

Knowledge of and experience with ABET accreditation; and

Demonstrated commitment to technology transfer, commercialization, and creation of

partnerships to foster regional economic development, to include the establishment of

research and professional collaborations with industry.

Salary

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Applicant Review

Confidential applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled. For best

consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by November 10, 2014.

How to Apply

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. is assisting Lamar University in the search. Initial

screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made.

Individuals who wish to nominate a candidate should submit a letter of nomination including

contact information for the nominee. Application materials should include a letter addressing

how the candidate’s experiences match the position requirements, a curriculum vitae or resume

and five references. Submission of materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged.

Confidential inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to:

Jan Greenwood, Betty Turner Asher, Partners

Chris Channing, Principal

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.

42 Business Centre Drive, Suite 206

Miramar Beach, Florida 32550

Phone: 850-650-2277 / Fax: 850-650-2272

Email: jangreenwood@greenwoodsearch.com

Email: bettyasher@greenwoodsearch.com

Email: christinechanning@greenwoodsearch.com

For more information regarding Lamar University’s College of Engineering please visit:

http://engineering.lamar.edu/

Lamar University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer, and Encourages

Applications from Women and Other Groups Traditionally Underrepresented in Engineering.

Lamar University is a Member of The Texas State University System