Dear UConn Mechanical Engineering Alumni, Friends, and Colleagues,

I am thrilled to announce that, effective today, November 1, 2023, our department of mechanical engineering has become the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering that is part of UConn’s new College of Engineering.

This marks a significant milestone in our department’s academic evolution and represents the logical progression in our journey, showcasing the depth and breadth of our academic successes. For example, during the last 6 years, our research activity has more than tripled; we have made decisive strides towards our educational mission, we have significantly increased the diversity of our faculty and students as well as the size of our student population, and we have established the first large multimillion dollar research center focused on modeling and simulation in collaboration with the US Army.

The transition to the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering opens up many other opportunities in our development, including the promotion of interdisciplinary collaborations, the introduction of innovative degree programs tailored to industry needs at the state and national levels, as well as the expansion of our research portfolio and of our global influence.

This accomplishment would not have happened without the unwavering support of our community, particularly our dedicated alumni and friends, for which we are deeply grateful. Your contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping our legacy of academic excellence and innovation, so please remain actively involved as we explore this exciting new frontier.

In the meantime, I remain eager to hear your thoughts and perspectives that could further enhance our strength and growth.

Sincerely,

Horea Ilies
Director, School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering
University of Connecticut