© 2024 Innovation Trail

RIT’s College of Engineering names Doreen Edwards new dean

Rochester Institute of Technology

The Kate Gleason College of Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology’s new dean is the first woman to lead the college.

Doreen Edwards, who is currently the dean of the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred University, will begin at RIT on July 1.

According to RIT, Edwards has published more than 60 papers, holds two patents and has more than 20 years of experience in academia and industry as a researcher, educator and administrator.

“I am thrilled to be joining RIT,” Edwards said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and students of the Kate Gleason College of Engineering to grow its research programs and build upon its reputation for educating world-class engineers.”

Edwards holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a doctorate in materials science and engineering from Northwestern University, according to RIT.

Before graduate school, she worked for eight years as a research scientist at a contract research lab at Northwestern University and at the Gould Research Center. 

After earning her doctorate, Edwards joined Alfred University in 1997 as an assistant professor of materials science. She held several key positions within the Alfred engineering school, including directing its graduate program before becoming associate dean in 2007. She became dean two years later.

Edwards succeeds Harvey Palmer, who is retiring in June after serving as the Gleason College dean for 15 years.