October 20, 2006

Rajala Named Head of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Mississippi State

Dr. Rajala (Photo: Roger Winstead)

Dr. Sarah A. Rajala, professor of electrical and computer engineering and associate dean of research and graduate programs for the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University, has been named head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Mississippi State University, effective December 1, 2006.  She will hold the James W. Bagley Endowed Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Rajala has served as associate dean for research and graduate programs since October  2002; prior to that appointment she had served as associate dean of academic affairs since August 1996.  She joined the NC State faculty in 1979 and was the director of the Center for Advanced Computing and Communication at NC State from 1993 to 1996.  She is the only woman to have served as a center director or associate dean in the College of Engineering.

During her associate dean terms, the College of Engineering experienced significant growth in enrollments, degrees awarded, distance education and research funding.  The College established a joint department of biomedical engineering with UNC-Chapel Hill and added a bachelor’s degree in paper science and engineering.  Rajala is particularly known for her role in advancing the College’s programs for minorities and women.

“I had the pleasure of working alongside Sarah for almost three decades,” said Dr. Nino A. Masnari, former dean of the College of Engineering  “Her strong leadership role has been pivotal to the progress the College of Engineering has experienced during her tenure.  In addition to her outstanding contributions as associate dean, her interest in the promotion of underrepresented groups has made a tremendous difference in the diversity of students and program offerings at NC State.”

“Sarah Rajala is a driving force in the College,” said Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering.  “Her leadership skills, knowledge and years of experience will be difficult to replace.  While we all congratulate Sarah and wish her the best of success on her appointment to such a prestigious chair, there is no doubt that she will be greatly missed here at NC State.”

Rajala states that she has greatly enjoyed her 27 years at NC State.  “Being a part of the College of Engineering at NC State has been very rewarding for me.  I have been proud to be a part of the many achievements the College has made, and I am grateful to the colleagues I have worked with and the friendships I have forged during this time.” 

An internationally recognized expert in image and video processing, Rajala is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a senior member of the Society of Women Engineers.  She has received numerous awards including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, the Outstanding Engineering Educator of the Southeastern Section of the IEEE, Sigma Xi Young Researcher Award, and election to the Academy of Outstanding Electrical Engineers and Council of Alumnae at Michigan Technological University.  In January 2006 she was appointed chairperson of the North Carolina Mining Commission by Governor Mike Easley.

She received her B.S. in electrical engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1974 and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Rice University in 1977 and 1979, respectively.

— brinson —

/ News Index / News Archives Index /