College hosts engineering deans from across the nation
Reception marks the beginning of a three-day conference in which deans from colleges of engineering around the country share experiences and build collaborative relationships.
At the 2025 American Society of Engineering Education Dean's Institute reception, Northern Arizona University Dean Charles Chadwell (left) and University of Arizona Craig M Berge Dean David W. Hahn celebrate in-state collaboration.
Colleges of Engineering deans across the nation came to Tucson April 6-8 for the 2025 Engineering Deans Institute, hosted by the American Society for Engineering Education at the JW Starr Pass Resort.
The three-day conference featured collaborative workshops about work-life balance, lectures on the latest industry changes, and insights into the next generation of engineering students.
The University of Arizona College of Engineering contributed to attendee camaraderie with a social reception held at the U of A Stadium Dunlap Room.
"I'm excited about the conversations happening about larger strategic partnerships around research," said Charles Chadwell, dean of the Northern Arizona University College of Engineering. "It's great to get a bunch of deans together who have different strengths and decide how we can collaborate."
"It is all for the betterment of science and moving the needle."
The first day featured a "New Deans" workshop, which introduced first-year engineering deans to peers.
"We talked about experience, how to do strategic planning and work-life balance," said Marisa Chrysochoou, dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri, who started the position in August.
David M. Borrok (left), vice provost and dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at Missouri University of Science and Technology, sits with Marisa Chrysochoou, dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri.
She was joined at the reception by a fellow Missouri dean.
"When you are in these jobs, there are no other engineering deans on campus to talk to, so this is an opportunity to compare notes and see what others are doing and what they are struggling with," said David M. Borrok, vice provost and dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Chrysochoou agreed, adding that one of those notes pertains to the integration of computer science.
"This is something that we all collectively try to understand, what has happened to computer science, what has happened to the tech sector, and where do we need to pivot as an engineering community."
(From left to right) Sharon Walker, College of Engineering dean at Drexel University, poses with Nadia Kellam, associate professor of engineering within The Polytechnic School of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, and Donna Riley, Jim and Ellen King Dean of Engineering and Computing at University of New Mexico.
ASEE's outstanding staff
ASEE staff are integral in putting together the conference. (Front row, left to right) Patti Greenawalt, Monique Ayala, and Ashley Krawiec. (Back row, left to right) Tonya Tucker and Wayne Davis.
