Engineering names interim associate dean

June 27, 2006

Engineering names interim associate dean

by Pete Rosenbery

 CARBONDALE, Ill. -- John W. Nicklow, associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is the choice for interim associate dean at Southern Illinois University Carbondale's College of Engineering.

Nicklow, who came to SIUC in 1998, begins his duties for one year on July 1. He replaces Hasan Sevim, who is leaving the college to become dean of the School of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in August.

"I think we are really lucky to have John," Dean William P. Osborne said. "John has shown a lot of interest and ability in education programs and obtaining funding out of the National Science Foundation for education programs."

Nicklow, who previously served as an acting department chair for six months, has participated in several large NSF proposals, including two current proposals the college is pursuing – a scholarship program for academically talented transfer students from Illinois community colleges, and one that involves student retention, Osborne said.

In addition to gaining more than $1 million in research funding, Nicklow has also generated support for education-related initiatives through several sources, including the NSF, the SIUC Center for Graduate Teaching Excellence, and the University's Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship Program, Osborne said.

In addition to serving on several advisory committees, Nicklow is involved in outreach programs involving area elementary and high schools, along with on-campus activities including the Women in Engineering program, Success Week, and University open houses.

"His record shows a commitment to improving our undergraduate program, the recruitment and retention of students and a willingness to work with students to achieve success," Osborne said.

During the next year, college administrators and faculty will determine the role and structure needed for the next associate dean in determining whether there will be an internal or external search, Osborne said.

Nicklow is looking forward to the opportunities and challenges. Focusing on recruitment and retention is important, he said.

"As a faculty member one of my favorite things is working with students and this gives me an opportunity to do that in an expanded role – focusing on recruitment and retention and seeing students from all over the college," he said.

Nicklow will not be teaching while serving as interim associate dean. He will continue his research program on water resources systems management.

In April, Nicklow received the engineering college's outstanding teaching award for a third time, and he was one of four faculty members honored nationally in 2002 for teaching excellence by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Nicklow has been an associate professor since 2003. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1993 from Bucknell University, and his doctorate in 1998 from Arizona State University in 1998.

Nicklow, his wife, Stacy, and the couple's five-year-old son, Ethan, live in Murphysboro.

Promoting student retention at all levels is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint the University is following as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2019.