Anderson Concludes Successful Tenure as Engineering Dean

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Distinguished Professor of chemical engineering Timothy J. Anderson is stepping down as dean of the College of Engineering, effective Jan. 6.

Anderson, who has served as dean since 2013, will continue as a member of the faculty.

John McCarthy, provost and senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, issued a statement to the college in tribute to Anderson and “all he has accomplished in bringing the College of Engineering to where it is today, a beacon of excellence and a source of pride to all of us at UMass Amherst.”

“In the five years that Tim has been dean, the College of Engineering has realized strategic growth in faculty, students, and programs. He has attracted an excellent and diverse faculty. Tenure-track faculty numbers have increased by 12.5 percent under his leadership. Undergraduate enrollment increased by 23 percent, graduate enrollment grew by 4 percent at the master’s level and 27 percent at the doctoral level – an important contributor to the college’s stature in research,” McCarthy wrote.

The diversity of the faculty and students in the college has increased in percentages of both underrepresented minorities and women during Anderson’s tenure.

“Tim’s inclusive leadership style has helped to foster a positive culture of diversity and inclusion in the college. By creating a diversity program office with full-time staff positions and faculty advisors dedicated to supporting under-represented minorities and women, Tim has institutionalized the college’s commitment to increasing diversity and student success,” McCarthy wrote.

Under Anderson, the College of Engineering raised $34.5 million in the UMass Rising campaign, exceeding its $33 million goal. He was instrumental in the creation of the Armstrong/Siadat Professorship in Materials Science and the Renewable Energy Chair. With 120 tenure-track faculty members, the college has received hundreds of grants and awards. 

The college’s U.S. News and World Report ranking has also steadily increased during Anderson’s tenure. The college’s undergraduate rank is No. 59 overall and No. 33 among public universities, and graduate programs are No. 65 overall and No. 37 among public universities.

The establishment of a strong partnership with the Institute for Applied Life Sciences has led to multiple joint hires, new facilities, and increased collaboration with other colleges on campus and the UMass Medical School.

“The establishment of the department of biomedical engineering is likely to be his longest-lasting contribution,” McCarthy wrote. “With the purpose of improving human health and solving problems in healthcare delivery, biomedical engineering is the integration of engineering science, biology and medicine. Tim’s vision was instrumental in the creation of this dynamic department, with its B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs.”

A search committee co-chaired by Tricia Serio, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, and Michael Malone, vice chancellor for Research and Engagement, will seek Anderson’s replacement. Isaacson Miller has been retained as search consultants.