The College of Engineering has named Renata Engel as its new associate dean of undergraduate studies. Engel, who begins her new role on Aug. 1, takes over from Robert Pangborn. Pangborn left the college to serve as Penn State's vice president and dean for Undergraduate Education in January. Arthur Miller, distinguished professor of civil and environmental engineering, has been serving as the college's interim associate dean for undergraduate studies.
A member of the Penn State faculty since 1990, Engel is professor of engineering design and engineering science and mechanics. She also is executive director of the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence and associate dean for teaching excellence.
For her individual and collaborative contributions to engineering education, she has been recognized with several awards including the University's George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Penn State Engineering Society's Outstanding Teaching Award, the Dow Outstanding Young Faculty Award and the Outstanding Alumna of the Fayette Campus. Engel was also a member of the team that won the 1998 Boeing Outstanding Educator Award and is a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education.
She has served as a member of the University Faculty Senate. Engel's current professional memberships and affiliations include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) in which she has held leadership positions including the vice president for member affairs.
She received her bachelor's degree in engineering science from Penn State and her doctorate in engineering mechanics from the University of South Florida.