Samueli School Dean Reappointed to Second Term

June 30, 2016 - Samueli School Dean Gregory Washington has been appointed to a second five-year term as The Stacey Nicholas Dean of Engineering, effective July 1.

Washington joined the school as dean in 2011, and has overseen a number of noteworthy accomplishments. Undergraduate enrollment has increased by 19 percent, while graduate enrollment has increased by 21 percent. Underrepresented student enrollment has increased dramatically as well – 65 percent for undergraduates and more than 100 percent for graduate students.  

Additionally, to improve student retention, Washington established an Office of Access and Inclusion, and launched an experiential learning program for first-year students. He also secured a $1.8 million NSF research contract to upgrade first-year programs, opened FABWorks – a student maker-space, and has encouraged student participation in hands-on projects like Solar Decathlon and the Hyperloop design competitions.

Sixteen new faculty members – more than half of whom are women – have joined the school.

Washington has worked diligently to expand the school’s support and reputation as well. He spearheaded a $9.5 million gift that established an endowed deanship, a scholarship and a graduate fellowship fund; expanded STEM outreach programs and oversaw a $2 million endowment to establish a presidential chair in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

He also launched the Irvine Materials Research Institute (IMRI) and the Institute for Design and Manufacturing Innovation, both of which quickly are establishing stellar reputations.

An expert in smart material systems, hybrid electric vehicles and smart electromagnetic systems, Washington is an NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award recipient, a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering and vice chair/chair-elect of the Engineering Deans Council, the largest organization of engineering deans in the U.S. He earned doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University.

“Please join me in congratulating Dean Washington on his reappointment. We are fortunate to have him on the campus leadership team,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Enrique Lavernia in announcing Washington’s reappointment.

-- Anna Lynn Spitzer