Dear students, faculty, and staff,
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Mandar Dewoolkar has been appointed Dean of the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, effective April 1, 2026. A highly accomplished teacher and scholar, Dr. Dewoolkar currently serves as the Interim Dean of the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. He holds a compelling vision for CEMS’ future and has the strong support of faculty, staff, and students. We are certain that this combination will result in a deanship defined by significant, positive, and lasting impact.
Dr. Dewoolkar 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 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. Prior to transitioning into the role of interim dean, Dr. Dewoolkar led the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in various capacities, including as its chairperson, for twelve years. He 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. Dr. Dewoolkar’s research areas include geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, transportation geotechnics, hazard mitigation, geotechnical aspects of space exploration, cultural preservation, and engineering education.
Dr. Dewoolkar’s work involves applying physical and numerical modeling and field and laboratory testing techniques to study the 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, Dr. 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.
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. 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.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Dewoolkar. We look forward to working with him as a member of the university’s academic leadership team.
Dr. Marlene Tromp
President
Linda S. Schadler
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President