(Following is a condensed version of May 26, 2023 email to SMU Lyle from Dean Nader Jalili)
Dear Lyle Faculty and Staff,
I want to express my gratitude to those who have provided feedback on the proposed reorganization of our administrative team. Your perspectives have been invaluable as we work together to bring Lyle to new heights. After many meetings with potential nominees, nominators, and in direct consultation with the Offices of the Provost and Human Resources, I am pleased to announce our Lyle Reimagined structure to be effective on June 1, 2023.
Lyle Associate and Assistant Deans | Updates and Appointments
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ali Beskok as Associate Dean for Research Innovation and Industry Partnerships. In this role, Dr. Beskok will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that expand our research portfolio, increase our funding, and strengthen our ties with industry. This position will ensure that our research remains relevant and impactful while also preparing our future workforce.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Dinesh Rajan as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Curriculum Innovation. In his new role, Dr. Rajan will work closely with our faculty to develop new courses and programs that incorporate the latest technologies and pedagogies, while also ensuring that our curriculum remains rigorous and relevant.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Kathy Hubbard as the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Inclusive Excellence. In her new role, Ms. Hubbard will work closely with students and faculty to promote a supportive and inclusive learning environment and to develop programs that foster academic and personal growth.
In her current role as Interim Executive Director of Hart Center for Engineering Leadership, the Center has been operating successfully and she has been instrumental to the Center’s growth and success. In the coming months, we will begin a national search for an external scholar in engineering leadership to assume the executive directorship of the Center to deepen the impact on our students and the broader engineering community. Once this position is filled, Ms. Hubbard will continue to work closely with Hart Center in an advisory capacity. We value her expertise and insights, and we believe that her ongoing involvement will be a key factor in the continued success of the Center.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christina Churchill as the Assistant Dean for Learning Innovation and Digital Education. In her new role, Dr. Churchill will oversee the development and implementation of online, distance, and executive programs that complement our in-person offerings to make engineering education more accessible and inclusive.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Rebecca Lothringer as the Assistant Dean for Recruitment and Strategic Enrollment. In her new role, Dr. Lothringer will develop and implement recruitment strategies that target underrepresented groups and that emphasize the unique opportunities offered by our engineering school.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Rachel Horton as the Assistant Dean for Brand Marketing and Strategic Communications. In her new role, Ms. Horton will oversee the development and implementation of marketing campaigns that highlight the strengths of our engineering programs and that increase awareness of our research and innovation.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. James Dees as the Executive Director of Student Experience and Scholarship. In his new role, Mr. Dees will be responsible for analyzing data related to students, including graduation rates, awards, and scholarships. He will also oversee all student information, including enrollment data, academic performance, and student outcomes. An important part of his role will be coordinating decisions and awards for all Lyle scholarship applications, as well as managing resources related to scholarships. The objective of this office is to gain insights, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. These decisions will aim to enhance the overall student experience, as well as improve strategic decision-making regarding undergraduate and graduate scholarship applications and awards.
Lyle Departmental Leadership | Updates and Appointments
Mechanical Engineering
Upon the departure of Dr. Paul Krueger, Lyle Mechanical Engineering faculty unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Edmond Richer as the Department Chair ad interim of Mechanical Engineering. The Dean’s Office received approval to open a national search for an endowed professor to assume permanent leadership of the ME Department. The position advertisement will go out this summer with the appointment to start as early as spring 2024.
The Research Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM) will strategically transition to focus on digital and human-augmented manufacturing. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Christopher Colaw as an Adjunct Research Professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering, Executive Director for Industrial Partnerships and Co-Executive Director of this new initiative. Mr. Colaw serves as the Chairman of the SMU Mechanical Engineering Department’s Industrial Advisory Board and as a member of the UTEP IMSE Department’s Industrial Advisory Board. He is the leader of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Quality & Mission Success (Q&MS) organization for Advanced Quality Technologies, also known as “QualTech.”
A national search will be opened for an endowed associate/full professor with a tenure home in Mechanical Engineering Department to assume the position of Executive Director for Research Innovation and Co-Executive Director of this initiative.
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dr. Kathleen Smits, Solomon Professor for Global Development, will continue as the Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.
Dr. John Easton’s position of Assistant Chair has been promoted to Associate Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.
Operations Research and Engineering Management
Dr. Sila Cetinkaya, Cecil H. Green Professor of Engineering, will continue as the Chair of the Operations Research and Engineering Management Department.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Diana Easton as the new Associate Chair of the Operations Research and Engineering Management Department.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Dr. Joseph Camp will continue as Chair ad interim of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. The Dean’s Office received approval to open a national search for an endowed professor to assume permanent leadership of the ECE Department. The position advertisement will go out this summer with the appointment to start as early as spring 2024.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of two associate chairs for the ECE Department. Dr. Scott Douglas will assume the position of Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies and Outreach in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Dr. Ping Gui is named Associate Chair of Graduate Studies and Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Computer Science Department
Dr. Jia Zhang, Cruse C. and Marjorie F. Calahan Centennial Chair in Engineering, will continue as Chair ad interim of the Computer Science Department. The Dean’s Office has received approval to open a national search for an endowed professor to assume permanent leadership of the Computer Science Department. The position advertisement will go out this summer with the appointment to start as early as spring 2024.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Theodore Manikas as the Associate Chair of the Computer Science Department.
I look forward to working with these talented individuals and all SMU Lyle faculty and staff to ensure that our school is at the forefront of innovation, excellence in engineering education, and research. I am confident that we are transforming our school into a world-class institution that prepares our graduates to excel in their careers and contribute to the betterment of society.
Best regards,
Nader Jalili, PhD, ASME Fellow
Mary and Richard Templeton Dean
Lyle School of Engineering
