Following a national search, Pamela Norris, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and former vice provost of research at George Washington University (GWU), has been named the next dean of the University of Delaware College of Engineering, UD President Dennis Assanis and Provost Laura Carlson announced today. Norris will be the first woman to serve as dean of UD’s highly ranked engineering college, and her appointment will be effective March 1, 2025.
Pamela Norris, Dean
Tradition of Excellence
The University of Delaware (UD) has a tradition of excellence, from the founding of Alison’s academy in 1743 to our research-intensive, technologically advanced institution of today. UD offers a broad range of degree programs in its ten colleges.
The College of Engineering is home to seven academic departments devoted to building a community of problem-solvers focused on challenges associated with sustainability, energy, health care and the environment.
Our internationally recognized faculty includes named professors, National Academy of Engineering members, prestigious early career and young investigator award winners, and University teaching award recipients. Impactful initiatives led by college faculty include reducing plastic and textile waste, improving health through biopharmaceuticals, advancing artificial intelligence, protecting our increasingly digital world and innovative solutions to the complex challenges of modern life, all of which provide a fertile training ground for future engineers.
This research takes place in modern innovation spaces, such as the Ammon-Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center and the FinTech Innovation Hub on UD’s STAR campus and the Patrick T. Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory (Harker Lab), which houses 200,000 sq. ft. of research and teaching space, including the UD Nanofabrication Facility, on UD’s Newark campus.
Our students also learn in real-world settings through internships and co-op programs. UD’s vibrant Study Abroad program provides students the opportunity to study around the globe while student organizations provide community, professional development and the opportunity to give back through real-world projects.
Strategic partnerships with industry, government and academic institutions complement these initiatives, expanding the college’s reach and cultivating a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership and entrepreneurship among future engineers. Our graduates are leaders in academia and industry alike.