Sarah Rajala, Dean of the College of Engineering 2013-present

Artist / Maker Rose Frantzen ((American, b. 1965))

Date2018

MediumOil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineCommissioned by University Museums and the College of Engineering. In the Art on Campus Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberU2018.144

Status

On view

Collections

CultureAmerican

Label TextRajala is the 12th dean of the College of Engineering, the largest college on campus and is responsible for more than 9,600 students, 500 faculty and staff, 12 academic majors, multiple research centers and programs, and 11 buildings that comprise the engineering complex. Prior to becoming dean at Iowa State Rajala was the dean of engineering at Mississippi State University from 2008-2013.Rajala also served as department chair of electrical and computer engineering at Mississippi State, and associate dean at North Carolina State University, Raleigh. She is a past president of the American Society for Engineering Education and past chair of the Global Engineering Deans Council. In 2016 she was awarded national engineer of the year by the American Association of Engineering Societies; and received the 2015 national Harriett B. Rigas Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Education Society honoring outstanding female faculty. Rajala earned her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Technological University and Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Rice University. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, ABET, American Society for Engineering Education and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

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