Top academic affairs officials will immediately begin planning a search for a new dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Terry Schwartz, interim provost, will lead a process to seek a replacement for R. “Dan” Dandapani, dean, College of Engineering and Applied Science. Dandapani, 71, announced May 2 his plans to leave the dean’s position effective June 30 following a 31-year UCCS career, including eight as dean. He will return to the faculty as a member of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“Dr. Dandapani has provided outstanding leadership to the College of Engineering for many years and is a valued member of our campus community,” Schwartz said. “We honor his desire to spend more time with his family and salute his many accomplishments.”
On May 3, Tom Christensen, provost elect, met with College of Engineering and Applied Science department chairs to begin planning for a search for a new college dean. Schwartz plans to announce an interim dean and search plans by May 12.
Following a national search, Dandapani became dean July 1, 2009, after serving as interim dean for a year. He previously served as associate dean. For eight years, he served as chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He joined the faculty in 1986 as professor of electrical and computer engineering.
Prior to joining the UCCS faculty, Dandapani was a member of the faculty at Youngstown State University and visited Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, the University of Iowa, Stanford University, the University of Newcastle and the University of Illinois Coordinated Science Lab. He also has widespread experience in the computer industry including work with Ford Motor Company, Sun Microsystems, United Technologies and Digital Equipment Corp.
His awards include a special chancellor’s award for his role in directing a National Science Olympiad, a patent incentive award from Ford, outstanding teaching awards, and awards from Motorola Corporation and the Region 5 Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE. He earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Iowa and bachelor’s degrees from the Indian Institute of Science (engineering) and Nagpur (India) University (science) .
“I am stepping down to spend more time with family and will work to ensure the transition is smooth and seamless,” Dandapani wrote to College of Engineering faculty and staff members. “I believe we together have created a strong foundation for the college and it is with mixed feelings that I take this step.”
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