Ryan Adams named dean of UND College of Engineering & Mines

UND Provost Eric Link has selected Ryan Adams, the Terry and Diane Severson Endowed Professor of National Security and associate dean of National Security, as the dean for the College of Engineering & Mines. Adams has served as interim dean for the College since January.

“Dr. Adams brings exceptional experience, a proven record of leadership and a deep commitment to academic excellence,” Link said. “We are thrilled to have him serve as UND’s dean of the College of Engineering & Mines.

“His contributions in key administrative roles have clearly demonstrated his vision, dedication and ability to lead transformative initiatives,” Link continued. “I am confident that the College will continue to excel under his leadership by advancing innovative academic programs, enhancing student success and expanding its research impact to serve North Dakota and communities around the globe.”

“I am excited to continue the excellent work of the College of Engineering & Mines in this capacity,” Adams said. “The College has accomplished so much in recent years, and I am thrilled by the many amazing opportunities ahead.”

About Ryan Adams

Adams has served as interim dean for the College of Engineering & Mines since January and as the associate dean for National Security since 2022. During his time as associate dean, Adams established and executed the vision for national security research in the College. In coordination with UND’s Division of Research & Economic Development, Adams has been instrumental in bolstering funding and research outcomes in areas related to national security, including funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Test Resource Management Center.

During his time at UND, Adams has served as a Grand Challenge Champion for Data & Computational Research, managing central high performance computing resources on campus and recruiting new faculty and staff to strengthen computational research in support of all application areas. Adams also served as the director of the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, where he helped increase enrollment, establish a new doctoral degree in Computer Science and oversaw changes to doctoral and master’s programs in the School. As director, he also helped with the successful accreditation of both the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science programs by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Adams received his doctorate in Electrical Engineering at the University of Idaho. He held academic appointments at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as an assistant and associate professor before coming to UND as a professor of Electrical Engineering in 2019. Before academia, he served as a program manager and development engineer for the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Adams also served his country as an active-duty member of the Air Force as an aircraft maintenance technician.

Adams’ research interests include electromagnetic wave propagation in complex media, including ferrites, metamaterials and chiral media; antenna design for both cellular and medical applications; and numerical schemes for the simulation of wave propagation in a variety of scenarios.

About the College of Engineering & Mines

Fueled by immersive learning, hands-on experiences and award-winning programs, the College of Engineering & Mines ignites students’ careers in engineering and science. With 70-plus degree and certificate programs in engineering, computer science and geology, students are equipped with personalized curriculums based on their unique goals and interests. The College is currently the largest college on the UND campus with enrollment topping 2,600 in fall 2024. Students can enroll in both on-campus and online ABET-accredited courses.

In 2024, the College of Engineering & Mines received $20.4 million in research grants. In August, it announced the creation of five new Engineering Research Centers: the Artificial Intelligence Research Center, Center for Cyber Security Research, Materials and Manufacturing Research Center, Center for Water Research, and the Center for Process Engineering Research. Supported by grants and external funding, these centers will help serve as engines of growth for the University and the region. UND recently was designated as a National Center of Excellence in Cyber Research and, in October, the College of Engineering & Mines celebrated the opening of the Mark and Claudia Thompson National Security Corridor, which provides laboratory and classroom space along with hands-on training in fields vital to national security.

Through its commitment to educational excellence, research innovation and regional engagement, the College of Engineering & Mines is a pivotal force in shaping a prosperous future for the local community, the state of North Dakota, and beyond.

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