Cyndee Gruden, a UNH alum, will become dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, effective Jan. 11.
Following an extensive national search, UNH will welcome Cyndee Gruden as dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, effective Jan. 11. Current dean Chuck Zercher will return to the department of chemistry’s faculty on that date.
Gruden, a UNH alum who completed undergraduate (’91) and graduate (’93) degrees in civil engineering, returns to UNH from the University of Toledo, where she currently serves as vice provost for academic administration and faculty affairs. She has been a faculty member in the department of civil and environmental engineering since 2003 and has served in several leadership roles including interim dean and vice provost of graduate studies and associate dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
Gruden brings a wealth of experience to the dean’s office. In her various roles she led the launch of progressive marketing, recruitment and enrollment strategies that resulted in a 17% increase in international graduate students; created and implemented new programs in response to demand in the areas of cybersecurity, mechatronics and data analytics; and led efforts in mentoring and development for underrepresented students, faculty and staff. In addition, she has managed a $30 million institutional graduate stipend and tuition waiver budget and has been recognized for exceptional community outreach and excellence in community-engaged scholarship.
“Please join me in welcoming Cyndee back to the UNH community and thanking Chuck for his years of service in the dean’s office and his willingness to delay his return to the faculty until Cyndee could join us,” says Wayne Jones, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
