Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce several leadership appointments, effective September 1.
To align with recent organizational changes at the central university level, and to address an ever-changing enrollment environment, the college will streamline all enrollment efforts under one team. Leading this charge,
Kapil Dandekar has accepted appointment as our new Associate Dean for Enrollment and Graduate Education
. In this new role, he will oversee undergraduate, graduate and international enrollment efforts, develop strategies to address the collective efforts of staff across the college and with EMSS, and coordinate with the communications team and academic units to ensure the effectiveness of our recruitment initiatives. Dr. Dandekar has done an outstanding job serving our research and graduate studies needs since 2011, and I am pleased he will continue to work in the Dean’s Office in this new and critical role.
Caroline Schauer will act as interim Associate Dean for Research.
Michele Marcolongo has accepted renewal as Department Head of Materials Science and Engineering.
Under her leadership since January 2014, the department has
advanced significantly
with such efforts as: expanding Materials Day; launching BRAVE, which became one of the first recipients of DARE Initiative funding; and leading the way in major research initiatives and activities. Most recently, Dr. Marcolongo was elected a National Academy of Inventors Fellow in 2017, and earlier this year spearheaded Drexel’s partnership with KEEN, which will enhance not only our reputation, but the critical entrepreneurial skills and creative mindset that industry demands and that the world needs from its engineers. I am thrilled to have such a talented and dedicated scholar continue at the helm of the department, and I look forward to continuing to work with her as part of the college leadership team.
Jonathan Spanier has agreed to continue as interim Department Head of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics
. Despite significant efforts to bring a search to a successful close, our work here is not yet complete. I have re-requested the position for a new 2019-2020 search. Considering the Provost’s first response was favorable, I expect we will have a positive decision by early September as the university budget is finalized. Since taking on the interim role last November, Dr. Spanier has brought balance and direction to the department and I am grateful for his continued service.
More information regarding related searches to fill these important roles will be forthcoming.
Sincerely,
