Julie Kientz reappointed as Chair of HCDE

The College of Engineering has reappointed Professor Julie Kientz as Chair of the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) for a second five-year term.

Professor Kientz’s reappointment follows a comprehensive review that gathered feedback from HCDE faculty, staff, students, postdocs, and external partners. Her leadership was widely recognized for its empathy, inclusiveness, and collaborative spirit, and for cultivating an innovative and supportive community. Many highlighted her deep commitment to mentoring and uplifting all members of the department as a hallmark of her tenure. 

Since becoming chair in 2020, Kientz has overseen remarkable growth in HCDE’s undergraduate program and led the department’s progress toward ABET accreditation. Under her leadership, HCDE has strengthened partnerships across campus, expanded opportunities for students, and advanced the department’s national reputation for human-centered engineering education and research. 

“I am confident that the department will flourish even further under Julie’s continued leadership,” said Nancy Allbritton, Dean of the College of Engineering. 

Kientz will continue her second term as chair through 2030.