Hae Chang Gea Named School of Engineering’s Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Education

Rutgers School of Engineering’s (SoE) dean Alberto Cuitiño has appointed mechanical and aerospace engineering (MAE) professor Hae Chang (HC) Gea as associate dean for graduate and professional education. This new position reflects a school-wide focus on expanding graduate programs to meet the demands of industry and the evolving field of engineering.

As associate dean, Gea will coordinate all the school’s graduate programs. He will also be responsible for increasing enrollment among both master’s and BS/MS programs and developing strategies for new graduate programs and professional and executive master’s programs.

“There is growing demand for advanced engineering knowledge in today’s workforce,” says Gea. “I look forward to my new role and am excited to further the school’s graduate and professional education programs to meet the needs of professional engineers.”

Gea, who joined the MAE faculty in 1993, served as the department’s graduate director between 2011 and 2015. As the director and program chair of the packaging engineering program—the nation’s only packaging program housed in an engineering school—from 2011 until 2021, he oversaw its significant expansion. Most recently, he has served as the director of the Engineering Management/Master of Business and Science Program working closely with faculty and staff to design focused engineering career pathways for undergraduates and industry professionals.

“HC’s breadth of administrative leadership and experience as an MAE professor and program director uniquely qualifies him for this appointment,” says Cuitiño. “However, it is the energy and enthusiasm that he brings to all his efforts on behalf of SoE that sets him apart and delivers results.”