Kevin Hall, professor of civil engineering, has been named associate dean for research in the College of Engineering.

Hall will oversee the college's research and graduate missions to promote and advance scholarship, facilitate multidisciplinary research activities, and articulate and implement the research vision for the College of Engineering.

Hall, who has served as interim associate dean for research since February, succeeds Heather Nachtmann, who returned to the faculty in February and now serves as senior associate vice chancellor for research and innovation at the University of Arkansas.

Kim Needy, dean of engineering, said Hall's appointment comes at an important time in the College of Engineering's history.

"The college's research enterprise is on a record-breaking trajectory, and we know the best is yet to come," Needy said. "Dr. Hall's experience as a researcher and administrator gives him a unique understanding of our researchers' needs as they continue pursuing work that improves lives across Arkansas and around the world. I'm looking forward to his leadership in this important area of our college."

The College of Engineering broke research records in several areas during fiscal year 2020. Faculty were awarded $34 million in research grants and filed 37 invention disclosures, both all-time highs. College of Engineering researchers were also awarded 10 patents, tying the record set in fiscal year 2019.

Hall said he was excited to continue serving the College of Engineering.

"It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the associate dean for research in the College of Engineering, where I started my journey into the profession," he said. "We have an amazingly talented group of faculty, staff, and student researchers who are both pushing the boundaries of knowledge and creating solutions for issues that impact us all. As we continue into the middle of the 21st century, I am excited to see what our folks will accomplish."

Hall joined the Department of Civil Engineering as an assistant professor in 1993 before being promoted to associate professor in 1997, full professor in 2002 and university professor in 2020.  He served as head of the Department of Civil Engineering from 2005-2016.

Hall is the interim director of the High Density Electronics Center, also known as HiDEC.