Zhang Named Associate Dean for Academics in College of Engineering

Wen Zhang, professor of civil engineering, has been named associate dean for academics in the College of Engineering.

Her appointment is effective July 15. Zhang succeeds Kevin Hall, who will move into a new role for the university as director of transformation management, overseeing implementation of priority initiatives for the university's strategic plan, 150 Forward. Hall has served as the associate dean for academics in the College of Engineering since 2021 and has made important contributions, including leading efforts for the college's strategic plan Vision 2035.

"I'm profoundly grateful for Kevin's dedicated service to our college and excited for the impact he'll now have university-wide through 150 Forward," said Kim Needy, dean of the College of Engineering. "I'm equally excited to welcome Wen into this role. She brings the experience, judgment and commitment to our students and faculty that will serve the college well."

As associate dean, Zhang joins the college dean's Senior Advisory Team, reporting directly to Dean Kim Needy. She will work closely with the college's academic department heads and program directors to provide programmatic and financial oversight of all college academic programs, including online and distance education programs, in coordination with the college fiscal officer. Zhang will also oversee academic engineering facilities and all academic programs staff operations within the dean's office

Zhang's oversight extends to accreditation and compliance: she will be the college's primary contact for ABET, university academic program reviews and Higher Learning Commission accreditation, and will handle all external academic reporting. She will also chair the Engineering Executive Committee and sit as an ex-officio member of every college-level committee, giving her broad visibility into their work. As the college's academic integrity monitor, Zhang rounds out her role by representing engineering on several university-level bodies, including the Graduate Council, the University Course and Programs Committee, the Academic Affairs Advisory Committee to the Provost, the Academic Integrity Committee, Campus IT Directors and the Computing Activities Council.

"I'm excited to serve the College of Engineering in a broader capacity and to work collaboratively with our faculty, staff, and students to support academic excellence, foster innovation, and prepare the next generation of engineers," Zhang said.

Zhang joined the Department of Civil Engineering in fall 2011. She leads the Environmental Engineering Research Laboratory, where her research focuses on water and wastewater treatment, with an emphasis on microbial processes and emerging contaminants. She has developed a record of teaching excellence, student mentorship, externally funded research, interdisciplinary collaboration, faculty service, and academic leadership. She earned her Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Purdue University.