Following a national search, Mandar Dewoolkar has been appointed to lead the University of Vermont College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS). An accomplished teacher and scholar, Dewoolkar currently serves as the Interim Dean for the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. He is a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a faculty fellow of the Gund Institute for Environment. He has also served as UVM’s Sustainability Fellow and Service-Learning Fellow. He has received many awards, including the university’s Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Award and Vermont Campus Compact’s Engaged Scholar Award, and he is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
“The College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences is a proud example of UVM’s mission to educate outstanding students and to propel research and innovation that make Vermont and the world better,” said UVM President Marlene Tromp. “Dr. Dewoolkar is a deeply prepared, collaborative, and strategic leader who will help his college and the university forge bold futures for our students and our community.”
Dewoolkar holds a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado–Boulder, an MTech from the Indian Institute of Technology, and a B.E. from the University of Mumbai. His research areas include geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, transportation geotechnics, hazard mitigation, geotechnical aspects of space exploration, cultural preservation, and engineering education.
Dewoolkar’s work involves applying physical and numerical modeling and field and laboratory testing techniques to study effects of environmental loadings, hazards, and extreme events on natural and human-made materials and structures. His research is interdisciplinary and he routinely collaborates with structural, environmental, transportation, mechanical, aerospace, and electrical engineers; hydrologists; geographers; geologists; historic preservationists; statisticians; and education and social scientists. His research has been funded by a variety of agencies including the National Science Foundation, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Park Service, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, Vermont Space Grant Consortium, and the Vermont Agency of Transportation and Agency of Natural Resources.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Dewoolkar has supervised more than 100 student researchers, from undergraduates to post docs, and has mentored more than 80 semester-long service-learning projects with over 30 different Vermont community partners. His focus is on preparing students to thrive as innovative, values-driven leaders in engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, and computer science, and on advancing interdisciplinary research that drives transformative solutions to strengthen communities and shape a sustainable global future.
“Dr. Dewoolkar will be an outstanding dean of the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. He has a compelling vision for CEMS’ future and the strong support of the faculty, staff, and students. I am certain that this combination will result in a deanship defined by significant, positive, and lasting impact,” said Interim Provost and former dean of CEMS, Linda Schadler.
