Sastry reappointed to second term as dean of engineering

S. Shankar Sastry has accepted reappointment as dean of the College of Engineering, effective July 1, 2013, the campus announced on Wednesday, June 19.

In an email to the engineering community, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost George Breslauer said Sastry’s “accomplishments as a leader have been exemplary, as have his research, scholarship, and professional reputation.”

Dean Sastry (Noah Berger photo)As Breslauer noted in the announcement,

“The UCB College of Engineering is internationally acknowledged to be a top-tier institution, with a typical top-three ranking within the United States. Student enrollments have grown over the past five years; demand for admissions is at an all-time high.

“The college has seen significant growth in extramural support during Shankar’s five years as dean. He has raised an average of $50M per year in the college’s campaign, exceeding his initial fundraising goal. He has displayed unbounded energy in generating innovative programs, engaging with alumni globally, and developing strong connections to industrial partners of the college.

“New programs launched within the college have included a professional master’s degree, initiatives in entrepreneurship and global activities, continuing education, online initiatives, partnerships with industry, and a total of seven new centers. Shankar is currently working on new initiatives in healthcare, sustainable energy, advanced manufacturing, advanced computing, and synthetic biology.  And not least, his deanship has led, or contributed to, many improvements to the infrastructure of COE buildings.”

Sastry, who became the 12th dean of the college in 2007, holds joint faculty appointments in electrical engineering and computer sciences, bioengineering and mechanical engineering. He earned two masters degrees and a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, and has been on the faculty of the College of Engineering since 1983.

In addition to leading the college, Sastry serves as faculty director of the Blum Center for Developing Economies. Learn more about Dean Sastry.