In 1984, Eleanor Baum, Ph.D., became the first woman appointed dean of an engineering program in the United States. As recently as 2002, there were only about a dozen women engineering deans, but the numbers have increased greatly over the last decade.
This year, according to the records of the American Society for Engineering Education, there are more than 80 women leading engineering colleges, schools, or programs in the U.S., out of more than 300 programs tracked by ASEE. Women lead programs ranging from engineering colleges with multiple departments, hundreds of faculty members, and thousands of students at land-grant universities to smaller programs that may encompass only one or two engineering disciplines.
Some deans go on to university-level leadership positions such as provost, president, or chancellor, while others return to faculty positions or retire after serving as dean.
The following list is as up to date as possible through the 2020 academic year.
Cammy R. Abernathy, Ph.D.
Dean, University of Florida
Alexis R. Abramson, Ph.D.
Dean, Dartmouth College
Stephanie G. Adams, Ph.D.
Dean and Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair, The University of Texas at Dallas
Nancy Allbritton, Ph.D.
Dean, University of Washington
Emily L. Allen, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology, California State University, Los Angeles
Sara A. Atwood, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science, Elizabethtown College
M. Katherine Banks, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering, Texas A&M University
Gilda A. Barabino, Ph.D.
President, Olin College of Engineering
Susamma Barua, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science, California State University, Fullerton
Alison A. Baski, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Science, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Stella N. Batalama, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University
Gail Baura, Ph.D.
Director, Loyola University Chicago
Joanne M. Belovich, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, Cleveland State University
Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D.
Dean, Virginia Commonwealth University
Mary C. Boyce, Ph.D.
Dean, Columbia University
Bethany Brinkman, Ph.D., P.E.
Director, Sweet Briar College
JoAnn Browning, Ph.D., P.E.
Dean, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Janet Callahan, Ph.D.
Dean, Michigan Technological University
Naira H. Campbell-Kyureghyan, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Science and Engineering, Merrimack College
Jenna P. Carpenter, Ph.D.
Dean, Campbell University
Judy L. Cezeaux, Ph.D.
Dean, Engineering and Applied Sciences, Arkansas Tech University
Tina Choe, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Science and Engineering, Loyola Marymount University
Robin Coger, Ph.D.
Dean, North Carolina A&T University
Patricia J. Culligan, Ph.D.
Dean, University of Notre Dame
Jennifer Sinclair Curtis, Ph.D.
Dean, University of California, Davis
Doreen Edwards, Ph.D.
Dean, Rochester Institute of Technology
Sheryl H. Ehrman, Ph.D.
Dean, San Jose State University
Stephanie Farrell, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, Rowan University
Amy S. Fleischer, Ph.D.
Dean, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Kimberly Foster, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University
Claire Fuller, Ph.D.
Dean, Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Murray State University
Gabrielle Gaustad, Ph.D.
Dean, Alfred University
Andrea J. Goldsmith, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Princeton University
Molly M. Gribb, Ph.D., P.E.
Dean, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, University of Wisconsin–Platteville
Cyndee Gruden, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of New Hampshire
Christine Hailey, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Science and Engineering, Texas State University, San Marcos
Angela Hare, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Science, Engineering and Health, Messiah College
Wendi Beth Heinzelman, Ph.D.
Dean, University of Rochester
Karlene A. Hoo, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Gonzaga University
Ayanna Howard, Ph.D.
Dean, The Ohio State University
Emily M. Hunt, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics, West Texas A&M University
Jacqueline A. Isaacs, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, Northeastern University
Brig. Gen. Cindy Jebb, Ph.D.
Dean, Academic Board, U.S. Military Academy
Maria V. Kalevitch, Ph.D.
Dean, Robert Morris University
Jelena Kovačević, Ph.D.
Dean, New York University
Hyun J. Kwon, Ph.D.
Chair, Engineering and Computer Science, Andrews University
Laura W. Lackey, Ph.D., P.E.
Dean, Mercer University
JoAnn S. Lighty, Ph.D.
Dean, Boise State University
Tsu-Jae King Liu, Ph.D.
Dean, University of California, Berkeley
Tracy Bradley Maples, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, California State University, Long Beach
Michele S. Marcolongo, Ph.D.
Dean, Villanova University
Denise M. Martinez, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Tarleton State University
Patricia F. Mead, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Norfolk State University
Charla Miertschin, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Science and Engineering, Winona State University
Kimberly Muller, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Innovation and Solutions, Lake Superior State University
Jayathi Y. Murthy, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles
Kim LaScola Needy, Ph.D., P.E.
Dean, University of Arkansas
Harriet B. Nembhard, Ph.D.
Dean, The University of Iowa
Pamela Holland Obiomon, Ph.D.
Dean, Prairie View A&M University
Elizabeth Jane Orwin, Ph.D.
Chair, Harvey Mudd College
Wendy Reed, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth
Mary Rezac, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering and Architecture, Washington State University
Kristina M. Ropella, Ph.D.
Dean, Marquette University
Julia M. Ross, Ph.D.
Dean, Virginia Tech
Michelle B. Sabick, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, Saint Louis University
Anca L. Sala, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering and Information Technology, Baker College
Linda S. Schadler, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Vermont
Elaine P. Scott, Ph.D.
Dean, Santa Clara University
Ying Shang, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Evansville
Joyce T. Shirazi, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, Hampton University
Katherine Snyder, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering and Science, University of Detroit Mercy
Beena Sukumaran, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering and Computing, Miami University (Ohio)
Janis P. Terpenny, Ph.D.
Wayne T. Davis Chair of Engineering and Dean, The University of Tennessee
Jean S. VanderGheynst, Ph.D.
Dean, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Karinna M. Vernaza, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering and Business, Gannon University
Sharon Walker, Ph.D.
Dean, Drexel University
Mary Wells, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo
Jennifer Widom, Ph.D.
Dean, Stanford University
Stacy S. Wilson, Ph.D.
Director, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Western Kentucky University
Sharon L. Wood, Ph.D., P.E.
Dean, The University of Texas at Austin
Judy Wornat, Ph.D.
Dean, Louisiana State University
Yan Xiang, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Engineering, Technology, and Aeronautics, Southern New Hampshire University
Sharon Zelmanowitz, Ph.D., P.E.
Department Head, Engineering, U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Jean Zu, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Dean, School of Engineering and Science, Stevens Institute of Technology
