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Samuel Graham, a highly respected mechanical engineer who has served as dean of the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering since 2021, has been appointed to a second five-year term.
In a message to the UMD community, Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice praised Graham for his strategic leadership and accomplishments during his first term, saying he has worked with “faculty, staff and students to develop a clear strategic plan for the Clark School that aligns with university priorities and shows measurable progress. [...] His ability to build cross-campus partnerships and his engagement with alumni, donors, and government stakeholders underscore his effectiveness as Dean.”
Rice praised Graham’s focus on nurturing the success of engineering students: “Dean Graham’s student-centered commitment, reflected in his support for student organizations, advisory councils, and financial assistance, has been a defining feature of his leadership. His new Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) initiative has become a model for campus.”
Under Dean Graham’s guidance, the Clark School has expanded its pioneering research in critical fields such as engineering and medicine, robotics, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. His first term as dean saw the introduction of new and leading academic offerings, including:
- A degree in engineering AI and a minor in quantum science;
- A B.S.-M.D. program to equip ambitious students in engineering, mathematics, physics, and computer science with the preparation needed for medical school success;
- New experiential learning opportunities, including the VIP program; and
- The Capstone Design Expo, showcasing student solutions to society’s pressing challenges.
The dean’s first term also included the opening of two new signature facilities: the Edward and Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering in Medicine and Terrapin Works Baltimore, where community members can explore, learn, create, and foster connections through the power of making.
Graham spearheaded the We Innovate for the Public Good strategic plan, focusing on reimagining how we teach to advance learning; accelerating research, discovery, innovation, and impact; empowering the Clark School community; and building partnerships to enhance our impact.
Graham was recently named the 2026 recipient of the Richard Chu Award for Excellence in Thermal and Thermo-Mechanical Management of Electronics, a highly prestigious recognition given by the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE). The award marks seminal contributions to the thermal and thermo-mechanical aspects of electronic devices and systems, as demonstrated by publications in top-ranked journals, patents, or other groundbreaking achievements. With the Chu Award, Graham’s peers have now recognized his contributions with two of the most important awards in engineering. In 2022, he received the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ (ASME) Allan Kraus Thermal Management Medal for his expertise on the thermal engineering of Wide Bandgap (WBG) semiconductor devices and interfaces.
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