The following message is from Joseph W. Tedesco, Ph.D., P.E., F. ASCE, the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Dean of the Cullen College of Engineering.
Dear Cullen College Faculty and Staff,
It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of two new program directors for Fall 2022. Dr. Jennifer Luna Singh will assume the role of Director of the Program for Mastery of Engineering Studies, better known to most as PROMES, and Dr. Marsha Kowal will transition to the role of Director of the Honors Engineering Program.
Drs. Luna Singh and Kowal both joined the Cullen College in Fall 2019 as lecturers for the Division of Undergraduate Programs and Student Success, and have since forged paths that have greatly supported our college’s strategic initiatives and growth. Both appointments will come into effect on Sept. 1. At that time, both Drs. Luna Singh and Kowal will transition to the Instructional Assistant Professor level within the Cullen College as well.
Dr. Luna Singh graduated from the Cullen College with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2006, and went on to earn her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Rice University. After returning to the Cullen College in 2019, she quickly took on the initiative of leading the renowned First-Year Experience Program. In her role as PROMES Director, Dr. Luna Singh will use her expertise to continue growing the program and ensuring its future success for years to come.
Dr. Kowal received her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Cornell University and her bachelor’s in bioengineering from Oregon State University. In addition to serving as a lecturer with the Cullen College, Dr. Kowal has been a freelance editor with BioScience Writers and worked as a scientist and team leader at Base Pair Biotechnologies Inc.
Since joining the College in 2019, Dr. Kowal’s duties have expanded beyond her lecturer role in the First-Year Experience program. She has stepped up as co-director for multiple outreach initiatives aimed at increasing the retention and success of women and underrepresented minorities in engineering, including previously held events such as Girls Engineering the Future and G.R.A.D.E. Camp. Next, Dr. Kowal will focus on overseeing the Honors Engineering Program as its Director.
The Cullen College has been very fortunate to benefit from the dedication of Drs. Luna Singh and Kowal, and I have no doubt they will continue to elevate our programs and initiatives to new heights in these leadership roles. I look forward to seeing what they accomplish, and I encourage you to reach out to them both and offer your congratulations. Please join me in welcoming Drs. Luna Singh and Kowal in their new roles!
Warm regards,
Joseph W. Tedesco