Ramana Pidaparti
Ramana M. Pidaparti, a professor in the University of Georgia College of Engineering, has been named the college’s associate dean for academic programs.
Pidaparti, a veteran educator and researcher with more than 25 years of experience, joined the faculty of the UGA College of Engineering in January 2014 and has been its interim associate dean for academic programs since July 2014.
“Dr. Pidaparti has provided strong leadership over the past year in his role as interim associate dean and has worked closely with faculty, staff, and students on a number of key initiatives for the college,” said Donald J. Leo, dean of the UGA College of Engineering. “I am extremely pleased that we will have such an outstanding scholar and educator in this critical leadership position,”
As interim associate dean, Pidaparti worked with faculty to develop an enrollment management plan for the college and has led planning for Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) visits scheduled for this year. In addition, he has managed faculty instructional assignments and student advising during a period in which enrollment has grown by more than 20% and is expected to grow an additional 20% in the coming year. Pidaparti also worked closely with faculty leadership on the development of an experiential learning program that ensures the college will meet university-level requirements beginning in fall 2016.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity to further the college’s mission to create one of most innovative engineering programs in the nation,” said Pidaparti. “I came to the UGA College of Engineering because I deeply believe in its vision of being a college without traditional academic boundaries in teaching and research. Now, I am looking forward to working with Dean Leo, my outstanding faculty colleagues, our staff and great students in achieving that distinction.”
Prior to his arrival at UGA, Pidaparti served as a professor of mechanical engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. While at VCU, he also served as graduate program director for the mechanical engineering department. Pidaparti also taught at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), where he was director of academic programs in the mechanical engineering department and acting provost for the school of engineering and technology’s Malaysia Program.
Pidaparti is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Pidaparti earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Andhra University, a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, a master’s degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Maryland, and a doctorate in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University.
