Saxena Reappointed Dean of College of Engineering

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Ashok Saxena, dean of the College of Engineering

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After an extensive review, involving stakeholders from inside and outside of the College of Engineering, Provost Sharon Gaber announced that Dean Ashok Saxena has been reappointed for a five-year term through June 30, 2015.

Stakeholders noted that Dean Saxena has been very successful in increasing sponsored research within the college; increasing student retention in Engineering — particularly by developing a Freshman Engineering program; increasing diversity among students through the Engineering Career Awareness Program and encouraging online/distance education opportunities.

Provost Gaber indicated that she values Saxena’s entrepreneurial interests and looks forward to the college’s continued growth in students, retention, research and opportunities. Chancellor G. David Gearhart congratulated Saxena on his successes and said he looks forward to Saxena’s continued leadership in moving the University of Arkansas College of Engineering to the next level.

Saxena was appointed dean of the College of Engineering in 2003, coming to the university from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he had been the Regents’ Professor and a former chair of the School of Materials Science and Engineering. Coming to the university, Saxena was the first faculty member to hold an endowed chair funded by the $300 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.

Saxena received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in materials science and metallurgical engineering from the University of Cincinnati.