Engineering a world of possibilities

As part of a larger consortium with University of Guam and Guam Community College, Colorado School of Mines is pleased to launch a new location in Guam. In this cutting-edge program, University of Guam will provide the first two years of study, equivalent to Mines core curriculum, focused on preparation to transfer to Mines Guam for a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Students will complete their upper division coursework for mechanical engineering on Guam and upon successful completion of the remaining course requirements, receive a degree from Colorado School of Mines. Mines is partnering with University of Guam, Guam Community College, and AstroAmerica, a firm a partner overseeing the implementation of advanced manufacturing as a new economy on Guam. For more on this project, please visit: https://astroa.org/press-release-astro-america-forges-landmark-on-island-engineering-partnership-together-with-colorado-school-of-mines-and-the-university-of-guam/.

The Founding Director of the Colorado School of Mines Guam will serve in a three-year position that is responsible for implementing the startup phase of Mines campus located on the island of Guam.  The Founding Director will coordinate with our partners at the University of Guam and AstroAmerica to oversee all aspects of the startup including accreditation for an alternative location on Guam, hiring staff and faculty, securing physical space for offices and classrooms, and establishing processes and procedures for seamless integration with Mines main campus in Golden, Colorado.  The position may be extended up to one year if needed to effectively transition to a sustainable campus operation.

The successful candidate for this position will have an extensive and successful background in Higher Education and has deep understanding of the mechanics of how a university is run. The Founding Director will have experience successfully collaborating industry partners, government officials, faculty and research partners. The Founding Director is an innovative problem-solver exuding flexibility, collaboration, and diplomacy.

If you are interested in pioneering new pathways to STEM education, are at ease taking on challenges and are excited to build something that is brand new, we invite you to apply for this opportunity to support world class research across the globe.  

This position works primarily in Golden, Colorado, but requires regular travel to Guam and Washington D.C.

Primary Responsibilities: 

Launch Mines Guam campus  

• Oversee HLC accreditation process for an “Alternative Location”
• Actively maintain effective communications with all project partners (Government of Guam, University Guam, Guam Community College, AstroAmerica, Blue Forge Alliance, US Navy).
• Maintain an open dialog with the Colorado Congressional Delegation to ensure they are aware of the project, its progress, and its importance to US strategic defense.
• Oversee the establishment of a team of staff members and faculty on Guam, coordinating with Mines Academic Affairs and related academic and administrative departments
• Ensure a well-designed curriculum is prepared and delivered, and that the University of Guam delivered courses are streamlined with Mines requirements
• Work with the Chief Marketing Office and AVP of Admissions to develop and implement a recruiting strategy with a target of 50% international and non-Colorado resident students
• Coordinate with AstroAmerica on the development and implementation of the Guam Additive Materials and Manufacturing Accelerator
• Coordinate with AVP of Admissions to develop processes and procedures for enrollment and tracking of Mines Guam students.
• Coordinate with ITS to ensure adequate IT infrastructure and cybersecurity measures are in place
• Coordinate with the VP of student life to develop processes and procedures to ensure student support at Mines Guam is comparable to the Golden campus.
• Secure and or coordinate office, classroom and laboratory space for Mines’ operations
• Effectively manage budget to ensure that the project is on time and within budget
• Coordinate and lead progress report meetings with project partners and Mines stakeholders
• Travel to Guam and Washington DC as needed

Required Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate degree from an accredited university or college in a STEM discipline.
• Minimum of five years academic administration experience at senior leadership level or above.
• Demonstrated academic management experience including faculty development and program development.
• Strong working knowledge of STEM and applied science curricula.
• Significant experience in international academic program development.
• Demonstrated excellence in consultation, presentation, communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in budget management, fiscal stewardship, resource and operational management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a Dean or similar level in an accredited institution of higher education.

Salary and Benefits

$194,972–$213,847 annual salary

Mines takes into consideration a combination of 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 level 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
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• 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

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 Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Application review will begin January 5, 2026. This posting will close on January 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. and applications may not be accepted after that date.

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.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

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.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting