The College of Engineering has selected Norman Dennis, University Professor of civil engineering, as senior associate dean for academic affairs. Dennis has been serving as interim senior associate dean from May 2012 until July 2013 and from June 2014 until April 2015.

"I am very pleased to announce Dr. Dennis' appointment to this vital position," said John English, dean of the College of Engineering. "He has done an excellent job as interim, and as a permanent member of our administrative team, Dr. Dennis will be instrumental in helping us implement our new strategic plan and our goal of preparing our students, faculty and staff for the future."

As senior associate dean, Dennis will lead the College of Engineering senior staff in all activities relating to academic records, external reporting, student services, advising, recruiting and retention, employer relations, student placement, cooperative education and facility planning and operations. He will serve as ex-officio member of all major college-level committees and represent the college for university level activities and to the central administration.

Dennis has been with the University of Arkansas since 1996, and from 2010 to 2012, he served as co-director of the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center. Before coming to the U of A, he was a faculty member at the United States Military Academy, where he also served as director of research. He also spent a year as a distinguished visiting professor at the United States Air Force Academy. Dennis is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He received a bachelor's and a master's degree in civil engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla and a master's degree in Business Administration from Boston University. He earned a doctorate in geotechnical engineering at the University of Texas-Austin.