New leadership for UD College of Engineering

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.

"A distinguished researcher and a proven administrative leader, Dr. Norris has the skills, experience and initiative to advance our College of Engineering through its next phase of growth in both research and education," Assanis said. "Internationally recognized as an expert in nanoscale heat transfer, she is also highly regarded for her commitment to increasing representation and retention of women students and faculty in STEM disciplines. I look forward to working closely with her as we chart the college's future."

Reporting directly to Carlson, Norris will be a key member of the University's senior administrative team, responsible for leadership of the college and advancing campus development, including new and revitalized engineering infrastructure on the STAR and main campuses.

"Dr. Norris' impressive portfolio showcases her abilities in world-class research and academic leadership, along with a deep devotion to student success," Carlson said. "She has the drive and dedication to lead our College of Engineering to even greater achievements."

Assanis and Carlson expressed gratitude to the co-chairs of the search advisory committee: Cathy Wu, Unidel Edward G. Jefferson Chair in Engineering and Computer Science, and Miguel Garcia-Diaz, vice president for research, scholarship and innovation, as well as to the committee members for their commitment and insights.

"The College of Engineering's students, faculty and staff are among the most talented in the nation, and I am honored for the opportunity to serve as their dean," Norris said. "Together, we will build on the college's momentum in transformational research, extraordinary education and service to society.

"Being a first-generation college student, I know first-hand the important role that public institutions play in providing opportunities for economic mobility," she said, "and I am eager to help propel the University to even higher levels."

Assanis and Carlson also thanked Jamie Phillips, who has served as interim dean of the college since Aug. 1. Phillips, who is the chair of the College's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will continue to serve in the interim dean capacity until Norris' arrival. Previously, Levi Thompson was dean of the college from 2018 until July 31, 2024. After a year's administrative leave, Thompson will rejoin the college faculty where he is the Elizabeth Inez Kelly Professor of Chemical Engineering.

About Pamela Norris

Norris joined GWU in 2021 as vice provost for research, a post she held until August 2024. As vice provost, she worked to enhance the external communications strategy, focused on growing the sponsored research portfolio, promoted diversity and enhanced research compliance. She made significant contributions to elevating GWU's global reputation and launched several initiatives aimed at supporting faculty scholarship.

Previously, she was at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Engineering and Applied Science for 27 years, serving in a variety of roles, including executive dean, the executive associate dean of research and the associate dean of research and graduate studies. She is also the Frederick Tracy Morse Professor Emerita of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UVA. Norris has served as the principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on more than 45 sponsored research projects, with research funds totaling over $26 million from the United States Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, Industry, Foundations and more.

An interdisciplinary scientist, Norris holds patents for innovative thermal management techniques for jet-blast detectors and landing pads and for applications of aerogels in areas that include biological warfare detection and lab-on-a-chip. She has published more than 100 refereed journal articles and founded two research laboratories at UVA, the Nanoscale Energy Transfer Lab and the Aerogel Research Lab.

Norris has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including being elected a fellow of American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers (ASTFE) in 2024 and an Inventor Member in the George Washington University Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors, also in 2024. A leader in nanotechnology education, Norris chaired the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) National Nanotechnology Institute's Committee on Nanotechnology Education from 2003-2010, and she organized the first national Nano-Training Bootcamps, at the leading edge of the field. In 2021, she was elected an honorary member of ASME, one of the society's highest honors, "for international leadership in nano, micro and macroscale thermal science and engineering research; for tireless efforts to advance diversity in STEM fields; and for demonstrating engineering excellence as an outstanding mentor for students and faculty."

She is particularly motivated to contribute to the pressing national need to strengthen and secure the nation's position globally in STEM leadership. Norris' commitment to mentoring and to increasing diversity in the STEM disciplines has won her national recognition. In 2016, the Society of Women Engineers honored her with its Distinguished Engineering Educator Award "for enduring, positive influence on students' lives as a gifted teacher, mentor and role model; and for promoting greater diversity in STEM higher education."

Norris currently serves as the editor-in-chief of Nanoscale and Microscale Thermophysical Engineering and recently was vice president of institutional councils for the American Society for Engineering Education and chair of the Engineering Research Council.

A graduate of Old Dominion University, she earned her master's and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She was also a visiting postdoctoral research engineer and visiting lecturer at the University of California at Berkeley.

About the College of Engineering

The College of Engineering plays a pivotal role within the University and the state, and its faculty have an exceptional track record of advancing technological and educational innovation through partnership with industry, government, academic and medical institutions across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Encompassing seven departments, more than 20 academic programs and 20 research centers in engineering and computing, the college is home to 183 full-time faculty members, along with research staff and technical and administrative staff members.

Reflecting Delaware's strong trajectory of growth and commitment to excellence in education and scholarship, the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Engineering Programs ranked the UD's engineering programs 38th overall. Four graduate engineering specialty disciplines offered by the college rank in the top 50 nationally, including a top 10 ranking for the chemical engineering graduate (No. 7).