Widely accomplished researcher and higher education leader Partha Pande has been named the dean of Washington State University’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, effective April 16. This appointment follows a nationally competitive search to identify a leader who will continue advancing the college’s legacy of excellence.
Pande has been a member of the WSU faculty since 2005 and has served as interim dean of the Voiland College since February 2024. His academic contributions and leadership have demonstrated his ability to drive innovation, foster student success, and strengthen industry partnerships.
“Partha is a tireless advocate for the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture,” said Provost and Executive Vice President Chris Riley-Tillman. “Over the last year, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to partnership and the ability to engage with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. After Partha was announced as the interim dean, he immediately engaged colleagues throughout the university to advance the college’s system-wide footprint.”
Partha is a tireless advocate for the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. Over the last year, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to partnership and the ability to engage with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.
Chris Riley-Tillman, provost and executive vice president
Washington State University
He added that university and college leadership provided a strong endorsement — which echoed the results of Dr. Pande’s interview feedback.
“President Cantwell and I appreciate Dr. Pande’s outcome-focused and collaborative leadership. We are confident that the Voiland College will have significant growth and success with Partha’s leadership,” Riley-Tillman said.
Pande said that he is grateful for President Cantwell and Provost Riley-Tillman’s trust and is honored to be named dean of the Voiland College.
“In our rapidly changing world, we can occasionally lose sight of just how much our work improves lives. The Voiland College faculty, staff, and students are tackling our society’s biggest challenges and solving real-world problems,” said Pande. “Our faculty continue to be leaders in innovation. They are conducting research in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, materials discovery, and energy resources that have long-lasting impacts on our society. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Voiland College and look forward to supporting its critical work.”
Pande previously held positions as director of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Boeing Centennial Chair in Computer Engineering. He is recognized internationally for his pioneering research in network-on-chip (NoC) technology, which enhances the energy efficiency of data centers and high-performance computing systems.
An accomplished scholar, Pande has authored or co-authored over 250 papers published in journals and conference proceedings. His work has received almost 10,000 citations, earning him numerous accolades, including fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a National Science Foundation Career Award, and the Voiland College’s Outstanding Researcher Award. He was also a distinguished speaker for the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society during 2021–23 and is a member of the Washington State Academy of Sciences.
Pande holds a doctoral degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of British Columbia, a master’s degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Calcutta, India.
Mission focused
The Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture supports the mission of Washington State University by advancing knowledge through creative research, extending knowledge through innovative education programs, and applying knowledge to enhance quality of life and fuel economic growth.
Located across six campuses, Voiland College offers 29 fields of study and serves 4,415 undergraduates and 549 graduate students, making it the largest producer of degreed engineers in Washington state. The college is committed to fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments. In FY2023, 22% of undergraduate students were women, 35% were students of color, 32% were first-generation college attendees, and 85% were residents of Washington state.
The college employs nearly 400 individuals, including 135 tenured or tenure-track faculty, who conduct research addressing critical challenges in energy, health, the environment, and infrastructure. Voiland College oversees 19 institutes, centers, and laboratories and achieved $34 million in externally sponsored research expenditures in FY2023 — a 30% increase from the previous year.
In 2022, Voiland College received a transformative $20 million gift from Edmund and Beatrice Schweitzer and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories for the construction of Schweitzer Engineering Hall, set to open in Fall 2026. The hall will feature a student success center funded by a $5 million donation from Boeing.
Voiland College benefits from an Executive Leadership Board comprising industry leaders who shape the College’s vision and direction. Voiland College produces graduates who contribute to Washington’s manufacturing, energy, high-tech, and biotechnology sectors.
