[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/405\/2026\/08\/BelkEngineeringSummerBuildingEntrance-11.jpg” alt=”Front of Belk Building at WCU” title_text=”BelkEngineeringSummerBuildingEntrance-11″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” admin_label=”Text” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Western Carolina University\u2019s College of Engineering and Technology has officially changed its name to the College of Engineering<\/a><\/strong> and implemented a new organizational structure designed to support continued growth and enhance opportunities for students, faculty, and industry partners.<\/p>\n Effective July 1, the college\u2019s School of Engineering + Technology, Kimmel School of Construction Management, Engineering Discovery Program, and Rapid Center were restructured into:<\/p>\n The college will continue to offer all of the academic degree programs that it has in the past.<\/p>\n The college\u2019s school directors will serve as department heads under the new structure. Dr. Wes Stone<\/a><\/strong>, director of the School of Engineering + Technology, will serve as department head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Bruce Gehrig<\/a><\/strong>, director of the Kimmel School of Construction Management, will serve as department head of the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction. Dr. Bill Yang<\/a><\/strong>, professor of engineering, will serve as interim department head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.<\/p>\n In addition, Dr. Gretchen Dietz<\/a><\/strong>, Engineering Discovery program director and assistant professor, will become director of the Office of Engineering Education. The Office of Engineering Education will serve as a hub for student support services including in-house advising, outreach, recruitment and events. The Engineering Discovery Program, which supports first-year engineering students as they explore engineering disciplines and pathways, will become a program within the office. Monty Graham<\/a><\/strong> will continue to serve as interim director of the RAPID Center.<\/p>\n “These changes reflect the tremendous momentum and growth we are experiencing across the college,” said Dr. Randy Collins, dean of the College of Engineering. “As we expand our programs, facilities, and industry partnerships, the new College of Engineering name and organizational structure position us to better serve students and meet the growing demand for engineering and construction professionals throughout Western North Carolina and beyond. It provides a clearer identity while creating a strong foundation for innovation, student success, and workforce development.”<\/p>\n Nearly 1,000 students are enrolled in engineering and construction programs, and the university has state funding for construction of a new engineering building and expansion of academic programs that address increasing workforce needs across the region.<\/p>\n Updates to college websites, publications, signage, and other materials will continue over the coming months to reflect the new name and organizational structure.<\/p>\n The college will celebrate the new name and reorganization at a Fall 2026 welcome event scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 5 p.m. at the courtyard between the Belk Building and Center for Applied Technology at Western Carolina University.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For more information, contact the College of Engineering<\/a> at coe@wcu.edu<\/a> or 828.227.7368.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Western Carolina University\u2019s College of Engineering and Technology has officially changed its name to the College of Engineering and implemented a new organizational structure designed to support continued growth and enhance opportunities for students, faculty, and industry partners.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3401,"featured_media":10899,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n Western Carolina University\u2019s College of Engineering and Technology has officially changed its name to the College of Engineering<\/a> and implemented a new organizational structure designed to support continued growth and enhance opportunities for students, faculty, and industry partners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Effective July 1, the college\u2019s School of Engineering + Technology, Kimmel School of Construction Management, Engineering Discovery Program, and Rapid Center were restructured into: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The college will continue to offer all of the academic degree programs that it has in the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The college\u2019s school directors will serve as department heads under the new structure: <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, Dr. Gretchen Dietz, Engineering Discovery program director and assistant professor, will become director of the Office of Engineering Education. The Office of Engineering Education will serve as a hub for student support services including in-house advising, outreach, recruitment and events. The Engineering Discovery Program, which supports first-year engineering students as they explore engineering disciplines and pathways, will become a program within the office. Monty Graham will continue to serve as interim director of the RAPID Center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \"These changes reflect the tremendous momentum and growth we are experiencing across the college,\" said Dr. Randy Collins, dean of the College of Engineering. \"As we expand our programs, facilities, and industry partnerships, the new College of Engineering name and organizational structure position us to better serve students and meet the growing demand for engineering and construction professionals throughout Western North Carolina and beyond. It provides a clearer identity while creating a strong foundation for innovation, student success, and workforce development.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n The transition comes at a time of significant growth for the college. Nearly 1,000 students are enrolled in engineering and construction programs, and the university has secured state funding to support a new engineering building and the expansion of academic programs that address increasing workforce needs across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Updates to college websites, publications, signage, and other materials will continue over the coming months to reflect the new name and organizational structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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