University Park, Pa. - Penn State has appointed Robert N. Pangborn as vice president and dean for undergraduate education at the University. The appointment, pending Board of Trustees approval in January, will be effective January 23, 2006.
In this position, Pangborn will be responsible for providing leadership in undergraduate education, including support for general education, active and collaborative learning, student research experiences, internships, service learning, cross-campus curricular integration, and the development of facilities for technology-enhanced learning. He also will administer the University's enrollment management and administration across Penn State's 20 baccalaureate degree-granting campuses.
"Rob Pangborn is an extremely well-qualified individual to lead our efforts in undergraduate education and enrollment management. He is a distinguished scholar, award-winning teacher, a proven administrator, and a faculty leader who has contributed greatly to the University through his leadership on the Faculty Senate, the Administrative Committee on Undergraduate Education, and numerous task forces on such issues as general education and curricular integrity," said Rodney A. Erickson, executive vice president and provost.
Currently a professor of engineering mechanics in Penn State's College of Engineering, Pangborn's service to the University spans more than 26 years. As the college's associate dean for undergraduate education and international programs for the past 10 years, he has provided oversight for the preparation for accreditation review of undergraduate engineering programs, curricular development and assessment, instructional services, student recruitment and retention, diversity programming, advising, co-operative education and international programs.
Pangborn has taught and conducted research at Penn State since 1979 in the department of engineering science and mechanics, in the areas of engineering mechanics and structures, failure analysis and engineering materials. He has published more than 90 papers.
"I am looking forward to this new role as a natural extension of my interests in undergraduate education," said Pangborn. "The many new opportunities for student engagement in learning make this a particularly exciting time to be involved in higher education."
Chair of the University Faculty Senate in 1993-94, Pangborn also served as chair of the intercollege graduate program in materials from 1993-99 and as interim campus executive officer and dean at Penn State Altoona in 1999-2000. He has led and collaborated on programs dealing with educational innovation and assessment, reform of the University-wide general education curriculum, cross-disciplinary curricular initiatives and faculty development.
He has been recognized by the Penn State Engineering Society for both outstanding advising and outstanding teaching. On the University level, he has won the Provost's Award for Collaborative Instruction and Curricular Innovation and the McKay Donkin Award for service to the faculty.
Pangborn was elected as a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 1999 and is currently the vice president for government relations and senior vice president-elect for strategic management for ASME International.