Campus Life

Penn State architectural engineer named UF's next DCP dean

An architectural engineer at Pennsylvania State University has been named the next dean of the University of Florida’s College of Design, Construction and Planning.

Chimay Anumba, a professor and head of Penn State’s department of architectural engineering, will assume his new position effective August 1. He succeeds Christopher Silver.

Anumba’s research interests are in the fields of construction engineering and management, advanced engineering informatics, collaborative approaches to project delivery, knowledge management, integrated systems and distributed communications.

“Professor Anumba’s international reputation combined with his highly regarded leadership ability make him an ideal fit for the College of Design, Construction and Planning,” UF Provost Joe Glover said. “His expertise lies in areas that involve some of the most pressing issues in both developed and developing nations today.”

Anumba has served as head of the department for the past eight years. Before that, he was director of the Centre for Innovative and Collaborative Engineering and director of research in the department of civil and building engineering at Loughborough University in England.

He has won numerous recognitions/awards for his work including an honorary doctorate from Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands for outstanding scientific contributions to building and construction engineering. In July 2012, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (the UK’s National Academy of Engineering). He also has been a visiting professor/scholar at more than 10 universities in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa – including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, UF and Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Anumba received his doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, his doctor of science from Loughborough University, also in the United Kingdom, for outstanding and sustained original contributions to construction engineering and informatics, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Jos in Nigeria.

“The College of Design, Construction and Planning at UF is very well positioned to be a national and global leader in proffering creative solutions to the major challenges facing the built and natural environment – urbanization, water, energy, climate change, resilient buildings and infrastructure, etc.” Anumba said. “I look forward to working with the highly talented faculty, students, staff and alumni to move the College to this next level of leadership.”

Steve Orlando Author
April 11, 2016