Shonk Chair for the Head of Economics and Business

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Department of Economics and Business at the Colorado School of Mines (Mines) is seeking a visionary and inspirational leader to be the first-ever Shonk Chair for the Head of Economics and Business. This endowed position was recently established as part of a $5.5M gift from Lowell and Cheryl Shonk. Their endowment yields discretionary funds and graduate fellowships to support strategic initiatives that advance the impact, quality and reputation of programs in the Department of Economics and Business.

We seek a dynamic and enthusiastic leader who can develop and implement a vision that is aligned with the university’s strategic plan and that:

• Positions our Mineral and Energy Economics graduate program so that it remains highly regarded world-wide and is engaged in the national and international conversations that will set policies and the technical directions for minerals and energy in the future
• Grows enrollment in our recently launched Business Engineering and Management Science bachelor’s degree program
• Increases the accessibility of our Engineering and Technology Management master’s degree to students around the world
• Delivers programming that increases business acumen among all Mines students as needed in technical industries and entrepreneurial pursuits
• Enhances the visibility and impact of the Department of Economic and Business beyond Mines and beyond academia

Responsibilities

While accomplishing the primary goals discussed above, the Shonk Chair for the Head of Economics and Business is expected to:

• Work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment within the Department, with other Mines leaders and with external partners
• Increase engagement with alumni and industry and increase the number of external partnerships
• Raise external funding and attract philanthropic investments for research and education in economics and business at Mines

The Shonk Chair for the Head of Economics and Business is also responsible for the following duties that are expected of every Department Head at Mines:

• Oversee management of the department, so it delivers on its education and research mission and makes best use of its resources
• Ensure alignment of the department with the university’s strategic plan
• Encourage, promote and support continued professional growth of faculty and staff
• Oversee recruitment and retention of excellent faculty, staff and students
• Administer and lead in the renewal of curricula and teaching activities
• Represent the department to university administration, other university units, industry, and public and private agencies at the local, regional, national and international levels
• Lead departmental fund-raising, budget preparation and financial management

In addition to their leadership responsibilities, Department Heads at Mines are active in classroom instruction and typically participate in graduate-student mentoring and maintain active research programs.

For further information about the position or the department, please contact Prof. Dean Nieusma (search chair) at [email protected].

This position is seeking an individual that would fit the criteria of either a full professor or a professor of practice at the Colorado School of Mines.

Minimum Qualifications for full professor or professor of practice

• For full professor:
  • PhD in Business, Economics, Industrial Engineering, Mineral Economics, Management Science, Operations Research or another field related to the degree programs and courses offered by the Department of Economics and Business
  • Proven record of accomplishment in research, education, service and obtaining external funding that meet the criteria for appointment at the rank of professor at Mines
  • Administrative experience with budget oversight and allocation decisions with evidence of successful personnel and financial management
  • Experience collaborating across diverse disciplines or stakeholder communities in academic contexts
     
• For Professor of Practice:
  • Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Industrial Engineering, Mineral Economics, Management Science, Operations Research or another field related to the degree programs and courses offered by the Department of Economics and Business
  • 20 years in industry with a proven record of accomplishment in executive leadership roles that meet the criteria for appointment at the rank of Professor of Practice at Mines
  • Experience with budget oversight and allocation decisions with evidence of successful personnel and financial management
  • Experience collaborating across diverse disciplines or stakeholder communities in professional contexts

Preferred Qualifications for all candidates:

• Demonstrated impact resulting from strategic leadership, effective interpersonal communication and conflict management skills and strong organizational ability
• Ability to lead in a transparent and collegial way
• Experience balancing multiple administrative duties and specific experience managing competing priorities that are typical in a leadership role
• Experience mentoring junior colleagues or employees, including supporting their career development and professional growth
• Experience with fund-raising, donor outreach or financial development

Total Rewards 

Professor:  $170,000 to $224,551

Professor of Practice: $105,700 to $161,000

 

Mines takes into consideration a combination of the candidate’s education, training, and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion, and latitude required in the role, work location and external market and internal value when determining a salary rate for potential new employees.
 

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes: 

• Flexible health and dental care options 
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution 
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents) 
• Free RTD Ecopass for transportation throughout the Denver Metro area 
   

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state-of-the-art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Recreation Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on-campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit https://mines.edu/human-resources/benefits. 

How to Apply 

Priority review will begin on March 2, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please apply by March 1, 2026.

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, references, veteran status) and upload the below documents (required). References will not be collected or contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made. Applications must specify in the application package to which rank they are applying. Applicants will notice on the application form, there is only one location to upload all required materials. Further, once submitted, the applicant will not be able to edit their application. Applicants may submit their application as one combined document or as separate documents. The application must include: 

• for all applicants - a curriculum vitae, 
• for all applicants - a statement of teaching (at most 2 pgs), 
• for all applicants - a cover letter expressing interest in the position, and 
• for Professor applicants only - a statement of research (at most 4 pgs), 
• for Professor applicants only - up to three representative research papers (PDFs) that best reflect the applicant’s scholarly contributions. 

Research Statement: Candidates should describe how their research relates to and complements research activities and expertise at Mines, its expected scholarly and societal impact, its relevance to Mines’ goals (e.g., earth, energy, and environment), and current or future connections to industry and/or opportunities for entrepreneurship. The statement should cover both the candidate's history of successful research as well as their plans for future research at Mines, and their plans for obtaining external funding for that future research. Candidates should also be sure to describe any transdisciplinary aspects of their research. (For more information visit https://research.mines.edu ). 
 

Teaching Statement: Mines is committed to high-quality, hands-on, and project-based learning. Additionally, Mines is growing its online MS non-thesis degree programs. Candidates should cover their in-person and hands-on teaching pedagogy and be prepared to describe any experience they have in online education.  

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at [email protected] or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.
Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

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