Illinois State University’s College of Engineering is on track to welcome its first students in the fall of 2025, with curricular and facility designs, as well as hiring and national searches for key administrative roles, all underway.
“In August we submitted engineering curricular proposals for electrical, mechanical, and general engineering to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) for approval, and we have responded to their follow-up questions,” said Dr. Thomas Keyser, founding dean of the College of Engineering.
Once the department receives all three IBHE approvals, official recruiting and marketing efforts can begin.
“The word is out that we’re developing a College of Engineering, and we’re experiencing strong interest as we engage high school counselors, community college advisors, prospective engineering students and families, as well as non-profit Community Based Organizations,” said Jeff Mavros, executive director of admissions and recruitment marketing.
“The national and international demand for engineering has remained high over the years, and Illinois State itself is desirable and in demand. That combination of demand, top-notch faculty in the classrooms, and the warmth of our campus community sets up our future engineering students for success.”
Also critical to the program is the launch of the College of Engineering Advisory Board, which will hold its first meeting on October 28, 2023.
“We want all the programs in our college to be industry informed and industry involved,” said Keyser. “These key industry and business leaders serving on the College of Engineering Advisory Board represent small to multinational organizations located in, or having connections to, Illinois.”
Tentative timeline for the College of Engineering:
- Mid-October 2023 – National searches for associate dean and diversity officer roles began.
- October 28, 2023 – The newly formed College of Engineering Advisory Board holds its first meeting.
- Fall of 2025 – The first students in electrical and mechanical engineering begin classes.
- Fall of 2026 – College of Engineering moves into its home in the renovated John Green Building. Architectural and engineering designs and renovations are on track to transform the John Green Building in preparation for official move in.
- Spring of 2029 – The first students graduate from the College of Engineering.
See related story: Meet the College of Engineering founding chairs
For more information, visit ISU College of Engineering.
