SF State appoints Keith Bowman as dean of the College of Science & Engineering

SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, 2015 -- San Francisco State University has appointed Keith J. Bowman, a scholar who has spent much of his career focusing on increasing diversity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as the next dean of the College of Science & Engineering. Bowman is currently chair of mechanical, materials and aerospace engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT).

"Dr. Bowman has an exceptional record of leadership and scholarship, with proven success working with all university stakeholders to support the work and achievements of students and faculty," said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sue V. Rosser. "In addition, he has shown a firm commitment to broadening participation in STEM, a goal to which we are strongly committed at SF State."

Bowman will take over leadership of the College from Sheldon Axler, who has served as dean since 2002. He will join SF State this summer.

"The future of STEM lies in great cities like San Francisco and at institutions such as SF State, and I am honored to be selected as the University's next dean of the College of Science & Engineering," Bowman said. "The college has a strong commitment to research and teaching excellence, and I look forward to working closely with its students, faculty and staff."

As dean of the College of Science & Engineering at SF State, Bowman will be responsible for all academic, strategic and financial aspects of the college, home to more than 400 faculty and staff members, including 175 tenured and tenure-track faculty and more than 6,000 students in nine departments ranging from biology and chemistry to computer science and engineering.

At IIT, Bowman chairs the largest department in the Armour College of Engineering. During his tenure, he has overseen the implementation of new curricula and the development of new strategic emphases as the department has experienced a 40 percent increase in full-time undergraduate enrollment and an over 40 percent increase in graduate credit hours. Before IIT, he spent 23 years at Purdue University rising through the professorial ranks and becoming head of the School of Materials Engineering.

Among many professional associations, Bowman is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers executive committee of mechanical engineering department heads and chairs, and is on the Board of Directors for the American Ceramic Society. He has served as a visiting professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany and at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

Bowman has also been deeply involved in efforts to increase the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields, including serving as a member of IIT's Diversity Committee and as chair of the Purdue University College of Engineering's Diversity Action Committee. He was the first advisor to the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientific and Technical Professionals at Purdue and has served on numerous discussion panels related to diversity issues.

Bowman holds bachelor's and master's degrees in metallurgy and materials science from Case Western Reserve University and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the University of Michigan.

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SF State is the only master's-level public university serving the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin. The University enrolls nearly 30,000 students each year and offers nationally acclaimed programs in a range of fields -- from creative writing, cinema, biology and history to broadcast and electronic communication arts, theatre arts and ethnic studies. The University’s more than 228,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond.