Dr. Karen Dow appointed Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs)
The Price Faculty of Engineering is pleased to announce that Dr. Karen Dow has been appointed Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs), effective July 1, 2021. She joins the team in the Dean’s Office including Dr. Marcia Friesen, Dean, Dr. Cyrus Shafai, Associate Dean (Research & Graduate Studies), and Dr. Paul Labossiere, Associate Dean (Design Education). Dr. Dow is taking on the role from Dr. Nariman Sepehri who will return to his faculty role in Mechanical Engineering.
After obtaining her PhD at the University of Alberta, Dr. Dow immediately began her journey into teaching. Beginning as a faculty service officer at the University of Alberta, Dr. Dow later joined the Price Faculty of Engineering’s Department of Civil Engineering as an assistant professor, later being promoted to associate professor, and briefly served as the associate head for undergraduates.
“I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs of our Price Faculty of Engineering,” said Dow. “I am incredibly passionate about our students and our programs, so this feels like a natural fit for me! Having been through the undergraduate program here myself, I feel a personal pride and commitment to the excellence of our engineering programs, so I am very happy to be joining the leadership team to have an impact on something that I care very deeply about.”
Dr. Dow has received several awards during her time at the Price Faculty of Engineering, including the Graduate Students’ Association Teaching Award (2019), the Merit Award in Teaching for Life Sciences, Natural Sciences and Engineering (2017), and the Price Faculty of Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award for Civil Engineering (2016)
Throughout her teaching career, she has witnessed and empathized with the difficulties all students, but particularly the under-represented, face in the field of engineering.
“I look forward to serving the Faculty to continue to grow and adapt our programs to meet the demands and challenges our engineering community face today and into the future,” said Dow.
Dr. Dow has mentored with many outreach initiatives, including the university’s Girls in Science Day and the Committee for Increasing Participation of Women in Engineering Mentorship Program. She also serves on the 2020 Organizing Committee for the Canadian Coalition for Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology.
The Price Faculty of Engineering thanks Dr. Sepehri for his years of services as Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs) and welcomes Dr. Dow to her new role.