JOB DESCRIPTION

Ball State University seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as the next dean of the renowned R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (ECAP, https://www.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/cap).

ECAP brings together professional degree programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning and Development, Interior Design, and Construction Management, plus interdisciplinary education in Historic Preservation and Urban Design.

Established in 1965, the college offers Indiana’s only state-supported undergraduate program in Architecture. ECAP graduates have gone on to lead design and planning firms across the state and assume national leadership positions in the design, planning, and construction industries.

The next dean will have a unique opportunity to lead a nationally recognized college, building on ECAP’s rich history to position it for future growth and even greater impact in Indiana and across the country. To learn more, download a comprehensive leadership profile at http://wittkieffer.com/positions/a1wun0000022c4rmaa.

ECAP’s culture is rooted in a process of design and planning and the integration of theory and practice in design and construction. Hands-on, experiential learning imbues ECAP students with an understanding of the power of design and the built environment, instills confidence in their abilities, and provides invaluable connections to the real world.

In the last five years, undergraduate enrollment in ECAP has increased 23%. Total college enrollment in Fall 2026 is 1,300.

ECAP: INDY (https://www.bsu.edu/academics/centersandinstitutes/cap-indy), an extension of the college in Indianapolis, provides immersive learning and outreach opportunities in the state’s capitol and metropolitan center. As a hub for innovative design and planning, the site also houses the college’s Center for Civic Design (https://www.bsu.edu/academics/centersandinstitutes/cap-indy/center-for-civic-design).

ECAP is also home to the Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA Lab, https://www.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/cap/research-community-outreach/institute-for-digital-intermedia-arts), a world-class virtual reality and augmented reality unit specializing in the intersection of the arts, sciences, and humanities.

On campus, the Robert G. Hunt Center for Construction Management fosters teamwork by simulating an office environment found at major construction management firms. In the Student Design Center, Interior Design students gain practical experience while creating attractive, functional environments for commercial clients.

Committed to sustainability and high-performance building, ECAP has received awards from the U.S. Department of Energy, National Wildlife Federation, American Institute of Architects, Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, and the State of Indiana for its innovative programs and projects in environmental education.

Ball State University (https://www.bsu.edu/) serves approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students across eight academic colleges. Located in Muncie, Indiana, the university is one of only 11 institutions nationwide to have earned Carnegie designations as an R2 institution, an Opportunity College and University, and a Community Engaged institution—distinctions that reflect its impact in research, student success, and community engagement. A premier public research institution, Ball State is committed to preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields.

Ball State seeks in the next dean of ECAP a champion for academic excellence, community-engaged design, and civic partnerships who can sustain the college’s high-performance and highly collaborative culture.

Candidates must hold a terminal degree or a professionally accredited master’s degree considered terminal in the candidate’s discipline and possess a record of scholarly, creative, or professional contributions that qualifies for a tenured appointment at the rank of professor in the college.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. WittKieffer is assisting Ball State University with this search. Applicants should provide a CV or resume and letter of interest using WittKieffer’s candidate portal at https://apptrkr.com/9961950.

For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by Jan. 22, 2027. Confidential nominations and inquiries can be directed to Philip Tang and Sarah Seavey at BallStateECAPDean@wittkieffer.com.

Ball State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.