The University of Vermont has named Mandar Dewoolkar as the permanent dean of its College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, placing a seasoned academic with deep roots in India’s premier technical institutions at the helm of the university’s STEM future.
Dewoolkar, who has served as the college’s interim dean since 2024, will formally assume the permanent role on April 1. His appointment marks a significant milestone for the university’s international faculty community, as he transitions from a decade-long chairmanship of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to a top executive position.
A native of Mumbai, Dewoolkar’s academic foundation was built within the rigorous competitive environment of Indian engineering. With a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Mumbai, he earned a Master of Technology degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, a credential that remains a gold standard for technical excellence globally.
This robust Indian training provided the springboard for his move to the United States, where he earned a PhD from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1996. By blending the theoretical intensity of his IIT years with American research applications, Dewoolkar developed a specialty in geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics that has since earned him international acclaim.
“Dr. Dewoolkar is a deeply prepared, collaborative, and strategic leader,” said UVM President Marlene Tromp. “He will help his college and the university forge bold futures for our students and our community.”
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Before entering academia at Vermont in 2003, Dewoolkar spent years as a practitioner at GEI Consultants in Colorado. His work on dam safety and reservoir design demonstrated a practical application of the engineering principles he first mastered in Mumbai.
At UVM, he has become a prolific mentor, guiding over 100 student researchers and maintaining a strong connection to the immigrant experience in American higher education. “He holds a compelling vision for CEMS’ future and has the strong support of faculty, staff, and students,” said Interim Provost Linda S. Schadler.
As dean, Dewoolkar will oversee a sprawling portfolio including computer science, mathematics, and physics. His elevation reflects a growing trend of Indian-born engineers reaching the highest levels of American academic leadership, bridging the gap between global technical expertise and local community impact through UVM’s service-learning initiatives.
He lives in Shelburne, Vermont, with his family, continuing a career that began in the bustling classrooms of Maharashtra.
