[CCoE Notice] Important Announcement Regarding the Division of Undergraduate Programs and Student Success

[Knudsen, Rachel W]

[University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering] <https://www.egr.uh.edu>

Dear Cullen College Faculty and Staff,


In effort to better support the Division of Undergraduate Programs and Student Success, the Cullen College of Engineering will introduce some leadership and organizational changes in the coming weeks. As part of this restructure, Dr. J.R. Rao will assume the position of Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Distance Learning. Dr. Fritz Claydon will continue to support the division in his new role as Director of Undergraduate Support Services. These changes will be effective September 15.


Dr. Rao has a long history of supporting and growing the college’s student success initiatives. Since joining the Cullen College in 1990, he has held many different leadership roles, including a past position as the Associate Director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies and Student Success. Currently Dr. Rao serves as the Associate Dean for Engineering Programs at Katy; Associate Chair of the mechanical engineering department; and the Director of Online Programs and Extension Services. Dr. Rao has accomplished a great deal in these roles, including overseeing the successful launch of the college’s first Engineering Academy in partnership with Houston Community College, and the implementation and expansion of a series of fully online master’s degrees and certificate programs. Dr. Rao’s leadership of the college’s online programs and UH at Katy expansion initiatives have been instrumental in our ability to grow our national ranking and reputation, while continuing to meet the greater Houston area’s need for engineering education. The expansion of Dr. Rao’s role into the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Distance Learning is a natural progression of these initiatives and will keep our upward momentum moving forward.


In his new position, Dr. Rao will work closely with Dr. Claydon to ensure the continued success of the division. Dr. Rao will oversee undergraduate enrollment management, admissions services, orientation and advising, the college’s First Year Experience Program, the Engineering Career Center, ABET accreditation processes, and he will provide day-to-day supervision of the department. Dr. Claydon will continue to serve in a direct leadership role for the following programs and initiatives: the Engineering Honors Program; the PROMES Program; undergraduate student recruitment initiatives; undergraduate scholarship program coordination; STEM outreach events; and the coordination of other special projects. He will also assist Dr. Rao in the continued expansion of the college’s ongoing and prospective Engineering Academies, ABET, and initiatives pertaining to the UH-Dalian Institute.


While Drs. Rao and Claydon will be focusing on separate aspects of the Division of Undergraduate Programs and Student Success, their activities and initiatives will be closely integrated and will move together in unison. These changes will be implemented seamlessly and will cause no disruption to the day-to-day operation or success of the division. The quality of the college’s student success initiatives is paramount, and these tactical changes will ensure that our high levels of service and commitment continue unabated.


Please join me in congratulating both Dr. Rao and Dr. Claydon in their new roles. I look forward to their continued success at the Cullen College and countless contributions to our faculty, staff and students.

Thank you and all the best,

[https://www.egr.uh.edu/sites/www.egr.uh.edu/files/enews/images/tedescosignature.png]

Joseph W. Tedesco, Ph.D., P.E., F. ASCE

Elizabeth D. Rockwell Dean

Cullen College of Engineering

www.egr.uh.edu<https://www.egr.uh.edu>

[Joseph W. Tedesco] <https://www.egr.uh.edu>

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