Worcester Polytechnic Institute has awarded promotions and/or tenure to 33 full-time faculty members in recognition of their exemplary teaching, research, and service to the WPI community. All promotions and awards of tenure take effect July 1, 2025.
“I am delighted to congratulate the talented faculty members who have been promoted and awarded tenure this year,” said Andrew Sears, WPI provost. “These faculty are being recognized for the outstanding contributions they have made through their teaching, advising, research, and scholarship. They are excellent teachers, internationally recognized scholars, and respected representatives of the WPI community.”
Among those recognized for their achievements are 21 faculty members who have been awarded tenure. Sixteen faculty members were awarded tenure for their achievements in both teaching and research. Six other professors were awarded tenure through the university’s innovative tenure track for faculty who focus on excellence in teaching. WPI launched the tenure track for teaching faculty in 2021 and first awarded tenure to teaching faculty members in 2024.
The following awards and promotions were announced:
Sakthikumar Ambady was promoted to teaching professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Scott Barton was promoted to professor in the Department of Humanities and Arts.
John Blandino was promoted to professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering.
Joseph Cullon, professor of teaching in the Department of Humanities and Arts, was awarded tenure.
Holger Droessler was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Humanities and Arts.
Wen-Hua Du, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Humanities and Arts, was awarded tenure.
Kwamie Dunbar was promoted to professor in The Business School.
Michael Engling was promoted to associate teaching professor in the Department of Computer Science.
Natalie Farny was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Biology and Biotechnology.
Loris Fichera was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Robotics Engineering.
John Galante, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Humanities and Arts, was awarded tenure.
Edward Gutierrez was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Interactive Media and Game Development program and the Department of Humanities and Arts.
Jagannath Jayachandran was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering.
Snehalata Kadam was promoted to associate teaching professor in the Department of Physics.
Renata Konrad was promoted to professor in The Business School.
Nima Kordzadeh was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in The Business School.
Zhi (Jane) Li was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Robotics Engineering.
Oren Mangoubi was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
V.J. Manzo was promoted to professor in the Department of Humanities and Arts.
Kate McIntyre was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Humanities and Arts.
Rodica Neamtu, professor of teaching in the Department of Computer Science, was awarded tenure.
Adam Powell IV, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, was awarded tenure.
Angela Incollingo Rodriguez was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies.
Joshua Rohde, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Humanities and Arts, was awarded tenure.
Derren Rosbach, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies, was awarded tenure.
John Sanbonmatsu was promoted to professor in the Department of Humanities and Arts.
Anthony Spangenberger was promoted to associate research professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.
Sarah Stanlick was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies.
Seth Tuler, associate professor in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies, was awarded tenure.
Steven Van Dessel was promoted to professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering.
Catherine Whittington was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Sarah Jane Wodin-Schwartz was promoted to professor of teaching in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.
Ziming Zhang was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
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