Meet the 15 deans at ABET-accredited historically Black college and university (HBCU) engineering schools and find out more about the leaders that produce more than 33 percent of America’s Black engineers.

Dr. Joyce T. Shirazi (front row, second right) has been dean of the School of Engineering and Technology at Hampton University since 2016. She leads a team of faculty and staff in the engineering, architecture, and aviation departments to ensure that Hampton is a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) related fields.

Prairie View A&M University College of Engineering professor Pamela Holland Obiomon, Ph.D. (not in group photo) was named the dean of Roy G. Perry College of Engineering in 2018. Obiomon has been a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Microelectronic engineering since 2003.

Dr. Patricia Mead (front row, second left) has served as the department of engineering chair at Norfolk State University since 2020. She joined Norfolk State in 2004. During her tenure at the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), Dr. Mead was a primary officer in the critical education publication, The Engineer of 2020:Visions of Engineering. In addition, she was instrumental in establishing the NAE Center for the Advancement of Scholarship in Engineering Education Center.

Dr. Devdas Shetty has been dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of the District of Columbia since 2012. Since joining UDC, Dr. Shetty has doubled student enrollment, started a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, two master’s degrees, and the first Doctoral Degree in Engineering and Computer Science. In addition, he led ABET re-accreditation for four engineering and computer science programs.

Heshmat A. Aglan, Ph.D., has also served as professor and dean of the College of Engineering at Tuskegee University since 2016.

Jackson State University (JSU) named Dr. Wilbur Walters the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET) dean in 2019. In 2002, Walters returned to his alma mater as a JSU physics and civil engineering faculty member. Eventually, he became interim and then chair of the physics department. From there, he would become associate dean of CSET, interim dean, and dean.

Howard University announced John M. M. Anderson, Ph.D. as dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) in 2020. Anderson served as interim dean of the College of Engineering after holding various positions of increasing responsibility within the college since joining the university in 2002 as an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.

Morgan State University President David Wilson announced the appointment of Oscar Barton, Jr. as dean of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering in 2020. As dean, Barton implements a vision for growth; provides leadership through a governance process of faculty, staff, and students; manages research centers and facilities; administers the school’s budget; develops curricula and advances academic and research programs that prepare students for the future.

Florida A&M University and Florida State University announced May 2022 the appointment of Suvranu De as the next dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. His first day was July 15, 2022. De serves as the joint college’s chief academic and administrative officer as dean, overseeing academic affairs and research, including call centers, institutes, and educational services.

Also, in the spring of 2022, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University announced Stephanie Luster-Teasley as interim dean of the College of Engineering. Luster-Teasley succeeded Robin N. Coger, who was appointed provost and senior vice chancellor at East Carolina University. A 2021 UNC Executive Leadership Institute graduate, Luster-Teasley was named N.C. A&T’s vice provost for undergraduate education in May 2021 after serving in the role on an interim basis since September 2020.

Alabama A&M University (AAMU) selected Dr. Zhengtao Deng to lead the College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences in October 2022. Dr. Deng started his academic career at AAMU in 1992 in the School of Engineering and Technology (previous name of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences).

Southern University A&M College announced in October 2022 that Patrick Carriere, dean of the College of Sciences and Engineering at Southern University and A&M College, will resign at the close of the Spring 2023 semester. Carriere has served as dean of the College since 2017. Before becoming dean, Carriere was associate dean, director of graduate programs, and professor at the College of Sciences and Engineering. The University is planning to conduct a national search to fill the position.

Dr. Lin Li is a professor and interim dean of the College of Engineering at Tennessee State University. In addition, he has been an assistant, associate, and full professor of civil engineering at Jackson State University from 2005 to 2018.

Dr. Dawit Haile is a computer science and mathematics professor currently serving as a dean for the College of Engineering and Technology and interim dean for the College of Natural and Health Sciences at Virginia State University (VSU).