Statler College Announces the Dean's Leadership Faculty Fellows Appointments

Andrew Rhodes, Loren Rieth and Mohamed Hefeida selected as the new cohort of Statler College Dean's Leadership Faculty Fellows. (WVU/Photos supplied)

Faculty leadership development is one of the core values of the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University. The Dean’s Leadership Fellows Program is designed to develop effective academic leaders that spearhead initiatives driving institutional growth and innovation in teaching, research and engagement.  

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

The program aims to enhance faculty professional development while building a collaborative and supportive culture focused on cultivating academic leaders that enhance institutional successes. 

"Going into its third year, I am excited for our new selection of faculty fellows and future leaders of the Statler College," said Pedro Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College. "Supporting our faculty strengthens our commitment to advancing our academic, research, and engagement programs — aligning with our mission and reinforcing the foundation for innovation and collaboration in our College."

Dean’s Fellowship for Academics 

Andrew Rhodes, a teaching assistant professor in the mechanical, materials and aerospace engineering department has been named the Dean’s Fellow for Academics. In his role, Rhodes aims to investigate the design and implementation of a college-level multidisciplinary engineering program envisioned to provide modern and flexible opportunities to WVU students. Andrew is starting his leadership journey in academics being supported by Robin Hissam, associate dean of academics and student performance.  

Earning his Ph.D., from West Virginia University in 2019, Rhodes has been a teaching faculty since 2020 and serves as the program coordinator for the department’s undergraduate program. 

“The Statler college excels in multidisciplinary academics as evident by the successful student competition teams such as EcoCAR and the University Rover Challenge; collaborative degree programs such as dual degrees in civil and mining engineering and dual degrees in aerospace and mechanical engineering; and the recent development of an inter-departmental robotics engineering program,” Rhodes explained. “I'm excited to work with Dr. Hissam and the Dean's office to develop this flexible educational opportunity. Development of a Statler College MDE program to allow students the unique opportunity to shape their own multidisciplinary education to fit their individual academic goals.” 

Rhodes will work alongside Ron Reaser, teaching instructor in the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering now in his second year as a Dean’s Fellow for Academics.  

Dean’s Fellowship for Research 

Loren Rieth, associate professor in the mechanical, materials and aerospace engineering department has been named the Dean’s Fellow for Research. In this appointment, Rieth will be supported by Xingbo Liu, associate dean for research. 

As a fellow, Rieth aims to enhance the college efforts to grow research cross-institutions collaborations particularly with the medical campus at WVU and foster state, national, and international relationships between the fields of engineering and medicine. Strengthening research instrumentation and infrastructure on our campus to increase the scope and capacity of our research is also a priority.   

“There are great opportunities to develop innovative healthcare technologies at WVU driven by the profound need to offer better health outcomes in West Virginia and across the country,” said Rieth. “We are having amazing capabilities on the medical and engineering campuses, and opportunities to grow collaborations across this interface.” 

Rieth received his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the University of Florida in 2001. He earned his B.S. degree also in materials science and engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1994. Rieth joined the Statler College in 2021 and his current research is focused on the development of innovative neural interface technologies including a new auditory prosthesis that is moving towards a first-in-human clinical trial.  

Dean’s Fellowship for Engagement and Outreach 

Mohamed Hefeida, teaching associate professor in the Lane Department aims to develop a customized laboratory kit that can be used to demonstrate basic engineering concepts through engaging hands-on activities. This effort is seen as an experiential learning strategy to be implemented both in the introductory courses in the college as well as for deployment in outreach efforts that encourage science, technology, engineering, and mathematics interests in rural communities of West Virginia. Such efforts could help bridge the education gap in the state by enhancing access to education in underserved communities and supporting workforce development and WVU mission. 

"I view this program as an exceptional opportunity to delve into and apply innovative ideas, fostering deeper and more meaningful engagement with faculty, students, and our communities," Hefeida stated. 

Hefeida earned his MS degree from the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, Egypt in 2006 and his doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from University of Illinois in 2013. After joining the Statler College in 2020, Hefeida has a robust background in cyber physical systems and Internet of Things applications, with two decades of experience at higher ed institutions around the world. Hefeida’s work is supported by Cerasela Zoica Dinu, associate dean for student, faculty and staff engagement. 

The Office of the Dean oversees the process of faculty selection and engagement in leadership activities and programming, with the associate deans working closely with the selected faculty fellows on projects and initiatives that improves student successes and outcomes, strengthens external relationships and ensures the institution’s long-term engagement and growth. 

For more information about the program, visit the engagement website.  

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