New associate dean, director of accreditation appointed at ASU

Arkansas State University has appointed a new associate dean and director of accreditation in its college of engineering and computer science, said Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharyya, dean of the college.

Dr. Yeonsang Hwang, associate professor of civil engineering, becomes associate dean of the college, while Jason Stewart, instructor in civil engineering and program director, will concurrently fill a new position of director of accreditation in the college. The changes will take effect July 1, with the beginning of the new academic year.

“The college is very committed to a great student experience and student success as well as accreditation of our undergraduate programs,” Bhattacharyya said. “Especially, a commitment to accreditation allows us to continually improve program delivery based on outside input. These faculty members are very well-prepared to help us meet these goals, and I look forward to seeing their progress.”

Hwang, who joined the engineering faculty in 2009, has served as associate dean of engineering on an interim basis since 2018. In this role, he has responsibility for oversight of technical services and advising services within the college. He also works with the departments and their respective programs on advancing student achievement and retention, boosting student recruitment, and assisting the dean with various initiatives.

As director of accreditation, Stewart will provide leadership on the college’s efforts toward continued ABET accreditation of the civil, electrical and mechanical engineering programs, along with other undergraduate programs that plan to seek accreditation.

Stewart, who joined the faculty in 1998, also will continue serving as director of the civil engineering program, where Dr. Zahid Hossain, associate professor of civil engineering, will assist him. Hossain, besides being very active in teaching and service, is also a prolific researcher.