UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Tonya L. Peeples, the Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineering in the Penn State College of Engineering, is stepping down from her role as dean effective July 1 to serve as special adviser to the executive vice president and provost, helping to shape the creation of the University’s new office of student success. Peeples also will continue to serve on the college’s faculty.
“As dean, Tonya provided opportunities for students of all backgrounds to explore the field of engineering and advanced the college’s reputation as a leader in teaching and research,” said Fotis Sotiropoulos, executive vice president and provost, who is starting an institutionally coordinated student success and retention strategy that moves beyond primarily interventionist approaches.
“Tonya’s experience in opening new pathways for students to achieve their potential will be critical in this new role, as we focus our strategy on proactive advising, a holistic culture of care, and early connections to career and purpose.”
Sotiropoulos said he will be seeking nominations from the College of Engineering faculty in the coming days for the role of interim dean.
"My vision is to position Penn State as a top nurturer of talent at scale through innovative education and research that prepares the workforce of the future and identifies future innovators from all segments of the population,” Peeples said.
During her tenure as dean, Peeples leveraged the strengths of the engineering community to support workforce optimization, program development and sustained research excellence. She worked with institutional offices, students, academic departments and alumni and industry professionals to oversee development of the college’s recently finalized strategic plan. The goals and metrics defined in that plan have set the course for future student, faculty and staff success and enhanced partnership with the broader engineering community.
Peeples oversaw all aspects of Penn State’s largest academic college, including its pursuit of excellence and innovation in engineering education and research; initiatives to attract students, faculty and staff and support their development; an ongoing commitment to inclusion and belonging; stewardship of the college’s financial resources; and the continuation of a major campus facilities modernization.
Peeples became the college’s permanent dean in January 2024, after serving in an interim capacity for six months. She joined the College of Engineering in 2018 as a professor of chemical engineering and as the inaugural associate dean for equity and inclusion. Earlier in 2023, prior to being named interim dean, she was appointed senior associate dean.
Among her responsibilities and accomplishments, Peeples has led collaborative federal and foundation funding efforts to advance success for faculty, graduate and undergraduate students; managed inclusive excellence through the Center for Engineering Outreach and Inclusion; developed the college’s equity action plan; and helped to establish the A. James Clark Scholars Program at Penn State for promising engineering undergraduate students with significant financial need.
Previously, Peeples served as associate director for the University of Iowa Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing, associate dean for diversity and outreach, and professor of chemical and biochemical engineering at the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering. She earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University and a doctorate in chemical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. She is a member of the American Society of Engineering Educators, the Society of Women Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, the National Association for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the American Chemical Society. Peeples was a 2025 recipient of the North Carolina State University Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award. She also is a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.