Dean Walker announces leadership updates beginning September 2023.
At the start of this academic year and following the announcement of her
renewal, Dean Sharon Walker noted the key role the associate and
assistant deans, department heads and directors played in guiding and
informing the advancement of the college over the last five years, and
announced leadership updates to continue advancing Drexel Engineering
and address priorities.
“As we look to the future and critical areas of need for engineering, we
must bolster our research efforts, provide support for our academic
community, and continue to develop our strategic purpose,” said Dean
Walker. “There are a few individuals whose areas of expertise make them
uniquely qualified to lead these initiatives. I am pleased to announce
Jin Wen, PhD
as Associate Dean for Research and Innovation,
Joe Hughes, PhD
as interim Associate Dean for Faculty Advancement, and
Katie Meier, PhD
as Vice Dean.”
According to Dean Walker, the college is at a critical juncture
requiring focused leadership of the engineering research enterprise.
Noting that Wen “served admirably and with a significant workload” as
Associate Dean for Faculty Advancement and interim Associate Dean for
Research, the Dean added, “It is abundantly clear Dr. Wen will bring an
energy and direction that will benefit our research enterprise, and I
look forward to her continuation on the leadership team in this
capacity.
Previously as interim, Wen started the “From Seed to Harvest” College
Research Seminar series, aimed at promoting a multidisciplinary culture
of collaboration culture within Engineering. She also organized the
Junior Faculty Research Mentor program, which includes monthly
activities such as panel discussions with NSF and DOD program officers
on how to write a white paper, as well as with prior awardees on NSF
CAREER awards.
Jin Wen, PhD
Her new role will include supporting the college’s mission of PhD
student education, administering the Longsview Fellows program, working
closely with departments and the college Research Committee to analyze
research productivity, strengths and growth areas for the college, as
well as collaborating with Vice Dean Meier and the Drexel Solutions
Institute to promote sponsored research and industry engagement.
On becoming Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Wen noted,
“Guided by the college’s strategic plan and the University's Areas of
Excellence and Opportunity, I am excited to have this opportunity to
work closely with my colleagues to promote Drexel Engineering research.
I look forward to creating a multidisciplinary and collaborative culture
that strives for excellence and innovation.”
Joseph Hughes, PhD
Dean Walker also described faculty affairs as key to ensuring our
academic community is supported, that our practices and processes around
workload and review are equitable and inclusive, and that we offer
relevant and effective training opportunities. “Dr. Hughes has a
well-regarded history in our college, most notably having served as Dean
from 2012 to 2017, and I am particularly appreciative of his willingness
to step into this role given his devoted service and expertise with our
tenure and promotion processes over recent years,” said Dean Walker on
announcing Hughes as interim Associate Dean for Faculty Advancement.
Through his appointment, Hughes will fill the gap attending to the
processes, procedures and life cycle of the college’s faculty, of which
the Dean pointed out, he is particularly well-suited given his most
recent service as chair of the college’s tenure and promotion committee.
On accepting the interim Associate Dean for Faculty Advancement role,
Hughes said, “It is an honor to serve the college in this important
role. We have a world-class faculty in the college today, and supporting
their efforts will be very rewarding.”
Related to faculty engagement, Dean Walker also stated Associate Dean
for Undergraduate Affairs
Chris Weyant, PhD
will steward the college’s relationship with KEEN.
Kathryn Meier, PhD
In addition to research and faculty affairs, Dean Walker noted that as
we continue to operate in an ecosystem of continuous change, it is
critical that we keep an eye toward ensuring our strategic purpose
remains mission-aligned at the college, University, and partner levels.
Citing Meier as “an incredible asset leading from behind the scenes and
as someone with a birds-eye view of our complex organization,” Dean
Walker added, “Dr. Meier’s guidance through crisis communications, as
well as her steady leadership and counsel on issues of corporate
engagement, management and policy have had a significantly positive
impact across the college, and I am pleased she will continue in this
expanded role on the leadership team.”
That guidance in Meier’s previous role as Assistant Dean for Strategy
and Innovation encompassed the stewardship and implementation of
strategic planning efforts college-wide, including launching new
initiatives like the annual State of the College as well as the Drexel
Engineering Alumni Advisory Board and Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
Alumni Advisory Board; supporting business continuity planning through
the pandemic; redefining the college’s marketing and communications
organization; and advocating with University administrators and partners
to elevate engineering internally and externally.
Meier’s broadened scope includes providing analytical guidance, managing
special initiatives, and identifying and executing leading-edge higher
education strategies to advance engineering.
On becoming Vice Dean, Meier noted, “Drexel Engineering has a strong
sense of tradition and an even brighter future. I am excited to continue
elevating our work by facilitating connections around strategic
interdisciplinary initiatives, deepening our existing partnerships, and
helping to drive the implementation of top priorities.”