| Once told she could never be an engineer, Dr. Stephanie Adams ’89 will assume the role as the seventh dean of the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University (ODU) in July.
Never one to excel at standardized tests, Adams refused to use that as an excuse or allow others to make her believe that she would not be successful.”
“No isn’t always a no for me,” said Adams. “I’ve been preparing for this my entire career. I always knew I wanted to be a university administrator so every position I have taken has prepared me for this.”
The wealth of knowledge she will take to ODU is substantial to say the least. Adams is currently head of the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, but her superior expertise encompasses much more. She has served as the associate dean for research and the associate dean for undergraduate education. Adams’ experience perfectly complements her passion and provides a platform on which she plans to build at ODU.
“While ODU is very committed to research it is also very committed to education. It’s a balance whereas many larger schools are heavily focused on research. You need a good balance,” she said. “I would like us to look at how we use research that we are doing from the technical and educational perspective to shape the educational experience for students.”
The work and strategy involved in the position of dean will certainly be daunting, but Adams knows she is more than prepared for the challenge; to which she credits the outstanding education she received as a mechanical engineering student at N.C. A&T.
“I had professors who were challenging and demanding yet supporting and nurturing at the same time. They emulated what success looked like and they always encouraged us to go a little bit further than they went,” she said.
Adams’ career is taking her to greater levels, but there is still a twinkle in her eye for the rudimentary principles of engineering. She’s still just as passionate about the work and productivity that is unique to the encompassing field of study she fell in love with years ago.
“From a conceptual service and a tangible perspective, I think there is engineering in everything we touch in society. The thing that excites me is that we are the creators and innovators of the past, present and future.”
Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Adams is also particularly excited because she will be going back home and according to her “you don’t get a chance to go home too often.”
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