Founding Dean

Founding Dean, College of AI, Cyber and Computing

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) invites nominations, expressions of interest, and applications for the position of Founding Dean, College of AI, Cyber and Computing. The successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to inspire faculty, staff, and students in the College's potential to influence the future and redefine the landscape of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computing, and data science.

The College of AI, Cyber and Computing

UTSA recently announced plans to launch the College of AI, Cyber and Computing (CAICC), advancing the university's strategic vision to integrate emerging technologies with interdisciplinary approaches to shape the future of education and research. This College will build on UTSA's leadership in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data science and related disciplines to address the demands of an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Situated at the UTSA Downtown Campus in San Pedro I and San Pedro II (opening in 2026) the College will expand UTSA's role as a cornerstone of San Antonio's tech ecosystem. The Downtown Campus is located between San Antonio's historic West Side neighborhood and the urban core in close proximity to cultural and commercial venues. CAICC will be embedded in this campus and is expected to enroll over 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Its faculty and staff will work closely with employers and community partners to align academic programming with workforce needs, ensuring UTSA graduates are wellprepared for emerging career opportunities.

Workforce development is a focus of the new College, as demand for expertise in AI, cybersecurity, computing and data science continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in data science and cybersecurity alone is projected to exceed 35% by 2031, with millions of positions opening worldwide in these and related fields. Building on the success of the UTSA School of Data Science, launched in 2018, CAICC represents the university's next step in meeting the region's growing demand for skilled professionals. The new College will serve as a dynamic hub for education and research while deepening UTSA's connections with industry and government partners.

The UTSA College of AI, Cyber and Computing will comprise four specialized departments, structured to maximize current expertise and collaboration across computer science, computer engineering, information systems and cyber security, and statistics and data science. These departments will collectively oversee a robust portfolio of undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to prepare students for high-demand careers while advancing UTSA's role as a research powerhouse. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will be embedded into each discipline through specialized coursework and programs. Academic programs in the new College will be structured as follows:

• A computer science-focused department that combines the university's existing degrees in computer science and a newly approved undergraduate program in software engineering, also scheduled to launch in fall 2025.

• A computer engineering-focused department that bridges software and hardware and offer degrees in computer engineering and artificial intelligence.

• A cyber security and information systemsfocused department offering programs that adapt to rapid changes in technology and meet the needs of students and employers in information systems, and cyber security topics.

• A data science and statistics-focused department that drives innovation in data-driven decision-making and produce highly skilled professionals and researchers in data science and analytics.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Founding Dean of the College of AI, Cyber and Computing (the Founding Dean) will serve as the chief operating and academic officer of the College and will provide dynamic and visionary leadership to build upon UTSA's strengths and champion innovative and transformational practices that enhance the academic experience of students and faculty.

UTSA is in a time of incredible growth in pursuit of academic excellence, student success, research growth, and community impact. The Founding Dean must serve as a passionate advocate for these ideals, working in collaboration with university partners to launch CAICC as a cutting-edge college, harnessing the exponential demand and growth in AI, cybersecurity, and computing while propelling students, faculty, and researchers into a future of limitless possibilities.

The Founding Dean will be responsible for uniting three UTSA research centers-the Institute for Cyber Security (ICS), the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS), and the Cyber Center for Security and Analytics-under one administrative home. In addition, the Founding Dean will position CAICC to align closely with UTSA AI Consortium for Human WellBeing and the Open Cloud Institute to expand its impact. Collectively, these centers will amplify UTSA's ability to foster research excellence and transdisciplinary partnerships.

College leadership will be in place when CAICC launches in August 2025; the Founding Dean will lead the College in a strategic planning process and as the unit takes shape, UTSA will continue engaging with constituent groups to ensure its programs, partnerships and initiatives reflect the needs of the university and the community.

In leading the College during this important period of institutional growth and transition, the Founding Dean will play a critical role in effectively aligning the departments and centers that now comprise CAICC, articulating and implementing a strategic plan, and guiding the College through the process of creating a refined identity and brand, increasing its academic culture of excellence, and strengthening external partnerships to advance research, scholarship/creative activity and community impact. The Founding Dean will take the lead in strategic planning and in solidifying and implementing a unifying vision, mission, and goals for CAICC.

Key Opportunities and Priorities

The Founding Dean of CAICC will have the unique opportunity to provide visionary leadership to the College and integrate new and existing departments and programs while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, and life-changing education. The Founding Dean will:

• Serve as a visionary leader who will guide CAICC as it establishes its identity: The Founding Dean will unite and inspire the collective expertise of faculty from different academic disciplines to create a culture that embraces innovation and entrepreneurship in pursuit of academic excellence.

• Foster a student-centric learning environment that promotes student success through supporting activities that facilitate professional development, mentorship, workforce readiness, and partnerships with industry that will lead to internships and employment opportunities.

• In collaboration with faculty, develop an ambitious and dynamic vision for the College that will build on the current momentum and clearly establish a distinct identity and brand for CAICC that will inspire internal and external constituents.

• Support faculty and staff as they transition from existing colleges and programs to CAICC and recognize the uniqueness of each academic discipline. This Founding Dean must have a deep appreciation for the different pathways faculty must follow when pursuing tenure and promotion, conducting research and creative activity, and when engaging in service to the university and the broader community.

• Offer support and strategies to advance interdisciplinary research and faculty initiatives in an environment that is increasingly competitive. The Founding Dean must be industryaware and adaptable to the changing environment.

• Serve as an engaging ambassador, on behalf of CAICC, within and outside the university. The Founding Dean will foster the development of productive and innovative partnerships that will have a regional impact and fully leverage the intellectual capital of faculty and the expertise of industry partners for the benefit of strengthening existing programs and capitalizing on new ventures.

• Be fully engaged in the vibrant and growing San Antonio and South Texas region while building relationships with K-12 school districts and community colleges in an effort to enhance the college-bound pipelines and ultimately increase access to UTSA and specifically to CAICC.

Qualifications and Key Attributes

The successful candidate will possess:

• An earned doctorate/terminal degree in a discipline represented in CAICC from an accredited university

• An outstanding record of scholarly achievement and international reputation commensurate with appointment as full professor in one of the departments in the College.

• Administrative and/or leadership experience with strong integrity, organizational and consensus-building skills, and the ability to inspire faculty, staff, and students in a culture of shared governance and transparency.

• Solid financial acumen and proven abilities in academic budgeting and financial management.

• A clear understanding of leading-edge methods and instructional technologies to support teaching and learning at a large, urban university.

• A proven record of supporting student success (undergraduate and graduate) and a record of success improving student outcomes through teaching, student services . click apply for full job details