Welcome Back for the Spring 2026 Semester

Welcome, Comets!

Whether you’re returning to campus after the winter break or starting a new chapter at The University of Texas at Dallas, I am thrilled that you’re joining us as we continue our 2025-2026 academic year in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

I chose the theme of Education for this academic year to underscore our commitment to constantly innovating how we teach, learn and discover in a rapidly changing world. And make no mistake about it: The world is changing fast. Evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence are redefining engineering and computing practices, research and the skills required for tomorrow’s workforce.

I am confident that we will stay at the forefront of this change. As engineers, we are used to working on the cutting edge of knowledge. As Alex Goryachev, author of The Dean of AI, told the Jonsson School in a lecture in December, we should view AI (and other advancements), as tools that provide opportunities to maximize potential.

We’re not just observers of a changing world. We are actively shaping the future ourselves. In the words of the educator and engineer Henry Petroski, “Science is about knowing; engineering is about doing.”

That’s why the Year of Education is ultimately about creating change while collaborating across disciplines to apply our knowledge and lead with curiosity and purpose. This year is dedicated to advancing excellence in pedagogy and fostering innovation in how we teach, learn and discover.

With that in mind, I hope you’ll take part this semester in our Distinguished Lecture Series, which is organized around the theme, “Catalysts for Change: Visionaries in Engineering and Computing Education.” These great lectures are covering profound insights into how we can drive meaningful innovation in education.

Looking ahead, let’s challenge ourselves to embrace new tools. Let’s prepare for the careers of today as well as the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow. Let’s continue turning ideas into societal impact.

I’m excited to see what the future holds as we work together toward the conclusion of the 2025-2026 academic year this spring.

Dr. Stephanie G. Adams, PhD, F.ASEE
Dean and Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair
Professor of Systems Engineering
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
The University of Texas at Dallas