KU Engineering Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Accepts Role as Dean of Engineering at The Citadel

Andrew Williams, KU Engineering Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Charles E. and Mary Jane Spahr Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, has accepted the role as Dean of Engineering at The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina. He will begin his new position on July 1. Williams has led KU’s Diversity and Women’s Programs since 2017.

“Andrew has shown tremendous leadership and vision in his four years at KU as Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” said Arvin Agah, KU Dean of Engineering. “Building on the strong foundation of KU’s Diversity & Women’s Programs, he expanded the program’s reach and visibility, while providing new opportunities for students, and fostering outreach efforts in surrounding communities.”

Under his leadership, KU Engineering Diversity & Women’s Programs earned national acclaim in 2019 for its efforts to attract and retain an increasingly diverse student population. The American Society for Engineering Education named KU one of 29 institutions across the country to receive an ‘exemplar’ bronze rating—the highest available classification during the review period—as one of the “nation’s leaders in inclusive excellence.”

“As a native Kansan, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to return to my alma mater to help build the minority engineering program that supported me out of high school,” Williams said. “I hope everyone will see the value and potential of low-income, first generation minority students like me. Anything is possible with a KU engineering degree and the support that goes with it.”

Williams earned his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from KU in 1988 and 1999, respectively.

KU Engineering Associate Dean for Research Candan Tamerler will lead an internal search for KU’s next Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, with the hopes of filling the role by July 1.