Bigio Named New Director of Undergraduate Studies

The Department of Mechanical Engineering in the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland recently completed a strengthening of the undergraduate and graduate student services programs. In anticipation for the fall semester, the Department student services team will consist of Prof. David Bigio, who has assumed the position of Director of Undergraduate Studies; Prof. Bala Balachandran, who continues to serve as the Director of Graduate Studies (and Associate Chair); and Dr. Sami Ainane, who assumed the new role of Director of Student Affairs. They are supported by Ms. Terry Island, who recently joined the Department as the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies, along with Mr. Amarildo DaMata and Mr. Fitz Walker, Coordinators of Graduate Studies.

On July 1st, 2007 Prof. David Bigio began a 3-year term as Director of Undergraduate Studies. In this role David will chair the Undergraduate Committee, provide academic leadership for the UG program, and devote significant effort to establishing the new UG elective tracks. In the newly created position of Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Sami Ainane will be responsible for the operational aspects of both the graduate and undergraduate offices and for the implementation of the “program of distinction” outlined in the Department’s Strategic Plan. Dr. Ainane’s role will be to synergize and align student services across the department, including undergraduate and graduate student recruiting and orientation efforts, summer internships, post-Ph.D. placements, and overseas studies. In addition, Dr. Ainane will have direct responsibility for TA assignments, course scheduling, advising BS/MS students and ENPM students, and overseeing the Department’s competition projects.

Published July 30, 2007