From the Dean

March 14, 2025 Engineering Communications 1-min. read

Mrs. Wuf stands beneath a canopy tent at a student event on The Oval at Centennial Campus. — The 2024-25 academic year opened on a fun note during POP Back, which drew engineering students to the Oval for music, games, food trucks and more.

In a rapidly changing technological landscape, it’s more evident to me every day that a strong foundation in engineering and computer science research and education is critical to our College of Engineering’s leadership in solving global challenges.

One of those is our world’s need for more protein sources. NC State University is one of three universities worldwide awarded $30 million to establish a Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein. As a land-grant university with a long history in innovative engineering and agricultural advancements, NC State is among the best places in the world to lead the way in developing alternative proteins.

Another challenge is the need to prepare for an increasingly AI-driven future, and I have a vision for our college to be a preeminent center for applied AI in engineering and computer science. Last fall, we launched the Applied AI in Engineering and Computer Science Initiative during a college-wide symposium, and we hosted the inaugural Dean’s Distinguished Seminar Series on Applied AI Futures. I am excited for the way our college will be transformed and to see our students emerge as future leaders as we integrate AI across the full breadth of our teaching and research.

I am grateful to the faculty, staff and alumni who built our college’s strong foundation — and proud of the people who are leading us forward.