SMU Lyle is poised to provide an education that prepares students for the challenges of today and equips them with the skills and knowledge to excel in the engineering world of tomorrow. As we look ahead, here are some ways we will differentiate Lyle with offerings to our students.
1: Empowering Student Leadership
Our goal is to provide leadership training for every student. Employers consistently highlight the readiness of Lyle graduates to engage with customers and lead teams early in their careers. It’s a testament to our commitment to cultivating leadership skills from day one. Through personalized leadership assessments, one-on-one mentorship, and immersive entrepreneurial experiences, every student at Lyle is afforded the opportunity to develop the leadership skills that are essential for their success.
2: Leading Digital Innovation in both Teaching and Research
Technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and data science are fundamentally reshaping the way engineers work. Lyle is at the forefront of this transformation. We distinguish ourselves by offering students the flexibility to engage in classes both in-person and remotely, in real time and asynchronously. This adaptability ensures that our graduates are well-versed in the latest technologies and teaching methods. Furthermore, we foster innovation by providing students with opportunities to actively participate in research projects, allowing them to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies.
3. Pioneering Digital Innovation in Education and Research
We are committed to fostering a culture of innovation that transcends the boundaries of traditional disciplines. Company-backed research fuels progress and connects exceptional students with industry insights. In line with this commitment, we are dedicated to establishing a new center focused on Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing. This center will further enhance our capacity to drive innovation and empower our students to shape the future of engineering.
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- Our proposed Lyle Digital Innovation Initiative, generously supported by a $15 million gift from The O’Donnell Foundation, is designed to attract distinguished faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and promising PhD students. This dynamic synergy harnesses the potential of artificial intelligence and human-augmented systems to shape a smarter future. Through digital transformation and innovation, we are preparing both Lyle and the Dallas-Fort Worth tech landscape for the future.
- Lyle AnywhereTM: Our vision extends to pioneering digital transformation in engineering education through our innovative approach, Lyle AnywhereTM. This overarching brand encompasses various SMU Lyle graduate learning modalities, offering students the flexibility to learn in-person or remotely, in real time or asynchronously. This adaptability caters to diverse learning styles and personal circumstances. Beyond the classroom, our students actively engage in impactful research projects, often in collaboration with industry, providing them with hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies.
4. Formation of a New Leadership Team
Reimagining our leadership structure was a critical component of our vision for the future of SMU Lyle. Effective June 1, 2023, this structure introduces a diverse team of experts who bring a wealth of experience and innovation to our school. Our Lyle Reimagined structure features a diverse group of individuals who collectively enrich our school with their expertise and innovation. This team includes the following roles: Associate Dean for Research Innovation and Industry Partnerships, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Curriculum Innovation, Assistant Dean for Student Success and Inclusive Excellence, Assistant Dean for Recruitment and Strategic Enrollment, Assistant Dean for Brand Marketing and Strategic Communications, and Directorates for Learning Innovation and Digital Education, as well as Student Experience and Scholarship.
Our Dean’s Senior Leadership team has been diligently working to shape and refine our organizational structure.
5. Implementation of an Aggressive Faculty Hiring Plan Lyle is on an ambitious journey with a remarkable faculty recruitment campaign, opening nearly 20 new faculty positions for academic year 2023-24. We strongly believe in the power of externally funded, industry-supported research to drive progress and provide exceptional students with valuable industry insights. Our mission is to lead the way in digital transformation within engineering education, all while ensuring that every student graduates as a confident leader. See the details of these positions at our dedicated site: https://www.smu.edu/Lyle/Departments/Faculty–Openings.
Our faculty recruitment campaign comprises the establishment of three new Endowed department chairs in Computer Science (CS), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), and Mechanical Engineering (ME). Additionally, we are adding six tenured/tenure-track positions aligned with strategic themes such as Sustainable Energy and the Environment, AI-Powered Digital Engineering Systems, and Quantum Science and Engineering.
Moreover, we are appointing several faculty Executive Directors to drive strategic initiatives, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and position our institutes and centers as leaders in technological advancement and innovation. These include: Endowed Associate/Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Executive Director for Research Innovation in the Center for Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing; Endowed Associate/Full Professor and Executive Director of the Hart Center for Leadership in Lyle School of Engineering; Endowed Co-Executive Director of the Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Inaugural Walden and Paula Rhines Endowed Quantum Informatics Associate/Full Professor in Computer Science or Electrical & Computer Engineering. To complete our offerings, we are seeking multiple cross-disciplinary renewable-contract (Non Tenure-Track) Assistant and Associate professors.
