Dr. Barbara L. Christe, an experienced professor, researcher, and administrator in applied learning, has been named dean of the School of Engineering Technology at Farmingdale State College, President John S. Nader announced today.
Dr. Christe officially assumes her role as dean of engineering technology on August 20. She was most recently chair of the Healthcare Engineering Technology Program and associate professor of engineering technology at Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
"Dr. Christe comes to Farmingdale with a depth of experience and leadership that will serve our faculty and students well," said President Nader. "She is a highly respected leader in her field, and the right person at the right time to both enhance and expand our program."
Farmingdale's School of Engineering Technology—the second-largest engineering-related School on Long Island with more than 2,100 students—offers one graduate degree and 14 undergraduate degrees. A Master's degree in Technology Management was first offered in the fall 2017 semester. It also is home to the College's pioneering efforts in environmental sustainability, including the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Center and the Solar Energy Center.
"Farmingdale State College features two compelling qualities: a focus on engineering technology, as well as an emphasis on student achievement," Dr. Christe said of her decision to join the College. "I sought engineering technology programs specifically because I have taught in engineering technology classrooms for decades, focusing on the applied nature of engineering. In addition, the reputation of Farmingdale among our engineering technology peers documented the excellent teaching and learning opportunities in the various majors."
Dr. Christe holds a BS and MS in biomedical engineering from Marquette University, and a DPhil in higher education administration from the University of Phoenix. She has earned six teaching awards; regularly publishes her research and presents at scholarly conferences; is the author of two books and several book chapters; and has a successful track record of grant writing.
She is also a commissioner with ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.), a national nonprofit organization that accredits academic programs in the disciplines of engineering and engineering technology, applied science, and computing.
Said Dr. Laura Joseph, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the College: "I am pleased to have Dr. Barbara Christe join our academic leadership team as dean of the School of Engineering Technology. Her extensive background in accreditation as well as biomedical engineering will surely enhance our efforts moving forward. As a leader in the field of engineering technology, Farmingdale provides students with a high-quality education. Dr. Christe's expertise and leadership abilities will help further our mission and cultivate community partnerships for applied learning and service opportunities."
Dr. Christe's appointment comes at a time of significant, sustained growth at the College. Farmingdale's total enrollment for the College in fall 2017 was 9,663, the second-largest undergraduate enrollment of any four-year institution on Long Island.
In a recent survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education, Farmingdale ranked 12th nationally in the percentage of enrollment increase – nearly 34 percent over the last decade. The GPA for all incoming freshman baccalaureate students last fall was 88.7, ranking Farmingdale among the highest in the region. A survey of all May 2017 graduates indicated that nearly 90 percent of respondents reported being employed within six months of graduation, with 77 percent being employed in their field of study.
