Photo credit: W. Scott Mitchell Photography
Sarah Rajala, dean of the Iowa State University College of Engineering, is the 2017 national recipient of the Meritorious Achievement Award in Accreditation Activities from the Educational Activities Board (EAB) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
This award provides recognition for efforts to foster the maintenance and improvement of education through the process of accreditation of engineering, engineering technology, computer science, and applied science programs. The EAB recommends policies on educational matters and implements programs specifically intended to serve the educational pursuits of IEEE members, the engineering and scientific communities, and the general public.
Rajala was appointed the 12th dean of the Iowa State College of Engineering in April 2013. She had a distinguished career as a professor and center director prior to moving into administrative leadership positions. Rajala joined Iowa State from Mississippi State University where she was dean of the Bagley College of Engineering.
Rajala is active in many national and international organizations including IEEE. She also received the 2015 IEEE Harriett B. Rigas Award that recognizes outstanding female faculty for exceptional and professional leadership and engineering accreditation service. IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization with more than 423,000 members in more than 160 countries.
Engineering is the largest college at Iowa State with 9,669 total students. The undergraduate enrollment ranks 7th largest in the country. The college offers 12 majors, 5 minors, and 17 doctoral and 21 master degree programs. The Iowa State engineering program is consistently ranked in the top 25 at public universities.