Madison Reporter

Ian Robertson, the Grainger Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has announced his decision to step down from his position once a successor is chosen. Robertson, who has served as the college's ninth dean since 2013, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the institution through a period of growth and impact.

Reflecting on his time as dean, Robertson emphasized the importance of people-centric impact in engineering, stating, "At its core, the practice of engineering focuses on innovations that make the world a better place, and I hope that people remember my tenure as dean for impact that centers around people."

During his tenure, Robertson focused on strategic investments in the college's educational portfolio, faculty recruitment, and infrastructure upgrades. Under his leadership, the College of Engineering at UW–Madison saw significant growth and received over $300 million in donations during a comprehensive fundraising campaign.

Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin commended Robertson for his exceptional leadership, stating, "His commitment to the growth and success of the College of Engineering over the last decade, by investing in the people and infrastructure necessary to its success, will continue to be felt across Wisconsin and beyond for many years to come."

Robertson's dedication to expanding access to engineering education was evident in his efforts to increase the size of the undergraduate student body and enhance the student experience through various investments and initiatives. He also prioritized the recruitment and retention of talented faculty members, with over 130 new faculty hires during his tenure.

Provost Charles Isbell praised Robertson's vision for advancing research and his commitment to students, noting his valuable contribution to initiatives addressing global challenges, such as the RISE-AI initiative focusing on artificial intelligence.

In addition to his academic achievements, Robertson championed initiatives to foster a more inclusive and welcoming culture within the college, including community-building events, diversity initiatives, and support for graduate student family leave policies.

Expressing his gratitude towards the college staff and alumni, Robertson acknowledged their contributions to the success of the institution, stating, "I am thankful for our staff, who are the backbone of our college; their broad expertise has been vitally important in the college’s ability to fulfill its mission."

Prior to his role as dean at UW–Madison, Robertson had a distinguished career at the University of Illinois and the National Science Foundation. He holds a bachelor's degree in applied physics from Strathclyde University and a doctorate from the University of Oxford.

The university will soon commence a nationwide search for a new dean to succeed Robertson, with further details about the search process to be announced in due course.