Arizona State Dean to Become Founding Engineering Dean at USD

Chell A. Roberts, executive dean of the College of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University, will become the founding Dean of the new Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering at the University of San Diego, announced Julie Sullivan, Executive Vice President and Provost.

“Dean Roberts is a nationally recognized, innovative leader of undergraduate engineering education which incorporates interdisciplinary and industry-sponsored student projects,” said Sullivan. “A visionary strategic thinker and planner, he is just the right person to lead engineering as it takes this great step forward to become a full-fledged school.”

Dean Roberts has served in his present position since March of 2011. Before that, he was Chair of Engineering at ASU from 2004 to 2011 and Interim Chair of Technology Management from 2009 to 2011. He has been a professor of engineering at ASU since 1989. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Utah and a PhD in industrial engineering from the Virginia Polytechnic and State University.

At ASU, Dean Roberts was the architect and creator of its general engineering program. He also led the hiring and building of the faculty team to launch and deliver the new program.

He will assume his post at USD on July 1. USD. The USD Engineering Department was founded in 1987 with just a handful of students and two faculty. During the last 25 years, the program has steadily grown in size and stature. Today, there are approximately 20 faculty and 360 students. The program offers a unique Bachelor of Sciences/Bachelor of Arts dual degree combining intensive technical education with USD’s emphasis on a broad, liberal arts education. USD’s Engineering Programs are currently ranked 25th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report among programs whose highest degree is a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

“It is a very exciting opportunity to join USD in leading great engineering programs at a great university,” Roberts said.

Last fall, San Diego philanthropist Darlene Marcos Shiley donated $20 million to create a USD School of Engineering with upgraded classroom and research space, along with more student scholarships.

“We continue to be grateful to Mrs. Shiley for this transformative gift that will allow us to develop the talented engineers who can contribute to San Diego and the nation’s growth and economic vitality,” said USD President Mary E. Lyons.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.