The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science

Content

DEAN’S MESSAGE

Welcome to the 2023-24 Academic Year

Dr. Stephanie G. Adams
Dr. Stephanie G. Adams

Welcome back to each of you as we begin the spring 2024 semester in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Texas at Dallas.

For our returning students, faculty and staff members, this week marks a new semester, a new calendar year and a fresh start. This new semester is an opportunity for you to deepen those relationships you have built since August and include a new student or colleague into your circle. Since UT Dallas is a “Doctoral University – Highest Research Activity” from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, you are already contributing to an innovative research community. Keep up the great work!

My theme for this Academic Year is Balance. For many of us, we go- go- go- go- go- and sometimes we need to pause and say no. We need to check in with ourselves, our loved ones, etc. to ensure that we are not burning the candle at both ends. This is something I have been working on for the past year.

Though I still have more questions than answers, I invite each of you to continue the quest to live a life of Balance in 2024. It is well documented that maintaining balance in your life improves overall health, increases productivity, reduces stress, enriches relationships and creates more time for yourself. I shared more about the importance of Balance during the fall 2023 commencement ceremonies about how to build and sustain passion for our work throughout our lives. I invite you to seek out and share how you seek balance in your own lives, whether through making time for a massage, taking a walk outdoors or practicing grounding techniques like box breathing and yoga.

We also have more exciting events in store during the spring semester. Don’t miss this year’s EWeek activities in February when we will honor the many contributions of engineers and computer scientists and provide two full days of career fairs and activities. You may also consider broadening your perspectives with an Alternative Spring Break this year.

I wish you a wonderful spring and summer filled with memorable experiences, both in and out of the classroom.

Whoosh!

Stephanie G. Adams, PhD, F.ASEE
Dean and Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
The University of Texas at Dallas
Former President, American Society for Engineering Education