Effective June 17, University of Miami College of Engineering (CoE) Dean Jean-Pierre Bardet will move into a new role as University vice provost of strategic projects. As University vice provost, he will lead on a University level the kinds of multidisciplinary initiatives and industry collaborations that as dean he has pioneered in the College of Engineering.
A national search for a new dean for the College of Engineering will begin over the summer. Daniel Berg, distinguished research professor at the College, will serve as interim dean. Berg is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and was a technical director at Westinghouse before embarking on his academic career. Before joining the University of Miami, he served as dean and then provost at Carnegie Mellon University, and then as president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
“The College of Engineering is in a great condition and is ready to continue its upward ascent in engineering education, research and innovation,” Bardet said. “I’m confident that the new leadership team will further advance the College. Together with faculty and students, and alumni, we have reached many significant milestones. I believe that there will be even greater achievements during the coming years.”
Bardet has left a significant mark at the University since he joined in August 2015 as dean of the CoE. This includes leading several exemplary initiatives to advance innovation across the College’s departments, as well as initiating and leading a number of interdisciplinary projects and key industry collaborations.
Notable partnerships Bardet established include the recent collaboration with Magic Leap, the Johnson & Johnson 3D Printing Center of Excellence Collaborative Laboratory and research with Florida Power and Light. In his new role as vice provost, Bardet will continue to shape these partnerships at the University level, while nurturing others as they emerge.
During Bardet’s tenure, the College also saw its highest research expenditures, which doubled since 2015. Its U.S. News & World Report ranking gained 27 points. The College also now has the highest number of tenured and tenure-track faculty in its history.
A distinguished civil engineering professor, Jean-Pierre served as chair of the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Southern California and as dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington prior to joining the U. Throughout his career, he has navigated academic and research partnerships with a steadfast focus on creating transformative experiences beyond the classroom.
