The Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering announced the appointment of Dr. Paul Richards and Dr. Chris Mattson as associate deans to Dean Tim McLain, their terms beginning August 27.
Together, they form the administrative leadership of the college after the former leadership under Dean Michael Jensen, with associate deans Tim McLain and W. Vincent Wilding, finished their term, having served for about 10 years.
Dean McLain appointed the associate deans by selecting them directly, then submitting their names for final approval to university administration.
Dr. Richards brings over 20 years of professional experience in academia and industry to this position. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from BYU in 2000, then earned his Master of Science and PhD degrees in Structural Engineering from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). His specialty area is seismic design and retrofit of steel buildings. Since 2006, Dr. Richards has spent 15 years on the faculty in the BYU Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, and 5 years as Vice President of R&D at DuraFuse Frames, during which he completed an executive MBA.
In his time at BYU, Dr. Richards has earned the Collingwood Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineering, the Karl G. Maeser Excellence in Teaching Award, the Keith Duffin Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship, and the Alcuin Fellowship from BYU. He is committed to outstanding undergraduate teaching and has advised more than 50 graduate students in research. He is originally from West Jordan, Utah.
“I truly admire Tim and Chris,” Dr. Richards said of his fellow deans. “I’m really excited for the opportunity to work with them and with the rest of the college staff to help fulfill the mission and destiny of the university.”
Dr. Mattson also joined BYU faculty in 2006 after receiving his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from BYU (1999 and 2001). He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 2003. Throughout his career at BYU, he has been recognized for his research in engineering design; he has received an NSF CAREER award, a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award, and a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from President Obama in 2011. He is an ASME Fellow and a previous associate editor for multiple journals. Dr. Mattson's research interests include engineering design theory, interdisciplinary education, product development, and engineering for global development. He directs BYU's Design Exploration Research Group. Before joining the BYU faculty, he was the Global Director of Engineering Design and Research at ATL Technology.
Among his many publications, Dr. Mattson also gave a TEDx talk at TEDxBYU 2012, titled “Design for Developing World.” In his free time, he continues his passion for building and creativity with hobbies like woodworking, graphic design, writing, and playing guitar. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and now has four children with his wife, Melisssa.
“I love this university,” Dr. Mattson said. “I believe that the work that we do is essential to how Heavenly Father is choosing to bless his children right now, here and afar.”
With their extensive research, collaborations abroad, academic leadership, and passion for creativity and education, Dr. Mattson and Dr. Richards will add to the resolve of the college to “be an influence for good in the world” (BYU Engineering, “Our Mission”).
“I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from them, and I am grateful to have their help and assistance and inspired guidance as we move forward together in leading the college,” Dean McLain said.
These new associate deans will assist Dean McLain in overseeing the teaching and research throughout the six academic departments and eleven different programs of BYU Engineering, ensuring that the college faculty and staff and more than 4,500 students continue to spread light as modern engineers.