The Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science Dean Search Committee has invited two candidates to visit campus for a formal interview during the weeks of April 28 and May 5. Last Monday, April 28, Keith Bowman, professor of Materials Engineering and chair of the Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering for the Illinois Institute of Technology, visited campus to interview. On Wednesday, May 7, Behrooz Shirazi, professor and director of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Washington State University, will be on campus to interview.

The website dedicated to the new dean search said, “The successful candidate will possess the leadership, vision and skill set necessary to advance the tradition of excellence and quality in research and instruction within the School.”

Some of the position responsibilities listed by DU on their application include: leading the faculty and department chairs in developing undergraduate and graduate programs that meet the needs of the industry; building ties with industry to support the instructional and research mission of the school in the form of research collaborations, internships, co-op experiences and entrepreneurial partnerships; and championing the disciplines of engineering and computer science within the mission of the University.

The position qualifications include: an earned doctoral or terminal degree in engineering, computer science or a related field; an understanding of the needs of industry and the ability to promote entrepreneurial collaborations with faculty; strong organizational, administrative and interpersonal skills; exceptional oral and written communication skills; and at least five year academic administrative experience or senior management experience in industry.

Keith J. Bowman

In a letter to DU explaining his interest in the position, Bowman states that as he visited the Front Range the past few years, he has kept an attentive eye on the Denver area and DU in particular as they both grew to their current heights. In the past few years; he has worked at Purdue University leading one of the fastest growing materials science and engineering programs in North America. In 2012, he moved to the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he became their Duchossois Leadership Professor of Materials Engineering.

Professor Bowman’s Curriculum Vitae includes over 170 publications, including the textbook, “An Introduction to Mechanical Behavior of Materials.” He also received his Ph.D in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1987.

Bowman ends his letter to DU with the following statement regarding his goals as DU’s new dean of engineering and computer science.

“My goal is to broaden the impact of my current efforts at helping promote engineering as a set of disciplines for and about people. I hope to have the chance to further share my skills, ideas and dreams for engineering and computer science education, research and engagement and how they could be realized in the Front Range,” Bowman said.

Behrooz A. Shirazi

Shirazi received his Ph.D from the University of Oklahoma in computer science in 1985. Since then he has worked at many universities across the country, including Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Arlington and his current employer, Washington State University.

In a letter to DU, Shirazi states that his leadership strengths at DU would include “defining and carrying out a far-reaching, yet attainable, vision and strategic plan for the Ritchie School; relating to and working with all the School stakeholders; promoting interdisciplinary activities with other colleges and units; fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between industry and the School; and engaging in marketing, fundraising and development efforts for the benefit of the School and the University.”

Shirazi believes that private universities have proven that historically their engineering programs are the most prestigious and of the highest ranking. Schools such as MIT, Stanford, Princeton, USC and Cal Tech prove this theory. Shirazi has experience at a mid-level private university during his time at SMU so he believes he will be “familiar with the culture and operations,” according to his letter.

In his career Shirazi has been published over 180 times and received more than 11 million in grants.