Dr. Ronal S. Harichandran, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE

Ron Harichandran was appointed Dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering at the University of New Haven in August 2011. In April 2019 he was also named Vice Provost for Research. Prior to that he was a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) and served as the department chair for 16 years. He received a B.E. from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1979, and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1981 and 1985, respectively. Dr. Harichandran’s technical specialty is structural engineering, he has performed research on earthquake, pavement, bridge and fire engineering and engineering education, and has published over 170 journal and conference proceedings papers and technical reports. He has taught a broad range of courses in structural analysis, design, dynamics, and probabilistic methods.

As Dean of Engineering and Vice Provost for Research at the University of New Haven Dr. Harichandran has strengthened academic programs, research and scholarship. The University is one of only 21 U.S. institutions designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations by the NSA. Dr. Harichandran has stimulated innovations in all engineering and computer science programs by leading initiatives such as: (1) an integrated approach to developing technical communication skills; (2) development of an entrepreneurial mindset in students through integrated e-learning modules; and (3) implementation of first year and career mentorship programs. He is also a co-PI on a $4 million Scholarship for Service grant from NSF. He has coordinated capstone design projects across all engineering and computer science programs to facilitate interdisciplinary projects.

Dr. Harichandran was elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering in 2015 and elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 2005. He received the 2011 Withrow Exceptional Service Award from the College of Engineering, and a 1992 Teacher-Scholar Award from Michigan State University. He has chaired the ASCE Department Heads Council, has served on the ASCE Body of Knowledge II Committee charged with refining the body of knowledge for future civil engineers, and on several other technical committees of professional societies.