Office of the Provost

Announcing New College Name and Academic Transformation Update

August 22, 2025

This message was shared with all students on August 21st, 2025.

Dear Students,

We are pleased to announce a major milestone in Drexel’s Academic Transformation: the beginning of the integration of the College of Engineering, the College of Computing & Informatics and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems into a new academic unit—the College of Engineering and Computing.

When fully integrated in September 2026, this college will become Drexel’s largest by enrollment and a cornerstone of the University’s transformation. The name was selected to prioritize clarity, recognition and alignment with how students, employers and peer institutions understand these fields, supporting visibility in a competitive academic landscape. Each of the three schools within the College will retain its distinct scholarly identity:

  • School of Engineering
  • School of Computer & Information Sciences
  • School of Biomedical Engineering & Science

We are committed to the meaningful opportunities this integration presents to advance interdisciplinary education and research, elevate Drexel’s academic distinction and cultivate deeper collaboration across engineering, computing, information science, biomedical innovation and beyond.

Leadership and Dean Search

A national search for the inaugural Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing is now underway. Our current interim deans will continue in their roles during the search and, along with other faculty and professional staff, will support student needs during this transition. Aleister Saunders, PhD, will serve as interim executive dean to support coordinated integration efforts across the units. We anticipate appointing the new dean by September 2026.

Phased Integration Across Academic Units

The College of Engineering and Computing is one of several academic unit integrations that are now moving forward. These include:

  • School of Education joining the College of Arts & Sciences
  • Close School of Entrepreneurship joining the LeBow College of Business
  • AJ Drexel Autism Institute joining the Dornsife School of Public Health

These changes will create new opportunities for discovery, learning and impact that transcend traditional academic silos and forge unexpected connections across fields, both within and beyond the new academic units. Integration will take place over the coming year, with careful planning to ensure minimal disruption to students, faculty, professional staff and partners. Units should be fully integrated by September 2026.

Looking Ahead

We're committed to making this a seamless transition for you, our students.

In the coming weeks, we will share additional updates and resources, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions and ways to stay informed and engaged. Teams across the University are working closely to ensure you experience the benefits of this new structure without disruption to your studies.

Importantly, your degree and your time to graduation will not change as a result of these integrations. These efforts are focused on strengthening academic offerings and expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and exploration.

We’re proud to support you as we move forward together.

Sincerely,

Paul E. Jensen, PhD
Executive Vice President
Nina Henderson Provost