Lamar University is pleased to announce Brian Craig as Dean of the College of Engineering.

Craig began his tenure at Lamar University in January of 2001 as an assistant professor in the Department of

Industrial Engineering. Since then, he has worked for Lamar University as professor, interim chair and chair for the Department of Industrial Engineering.

I accept the challenge in working on behalf of our faculty, staff, alumni and students to make the College of Engineering a destination point for students and a site for innovative research and outreach into local industry,” said Craig.

Craig’s journey began in higher education at Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in bioengineering (1990) and industrial engineering (1992). He furthered his education at Texas A&M obtaining a Master of Science in industrial engineering (1995) and a doctorate degree in interdisciplinary engineering (2000).

With research interests in human factors, ergonomics and safety engineering, Craig has contributed or collaborated for symposium presentations and posters, conference publications and journal publications. In addition to his experience as an educator and researcher at Lamar University, Craig has served the University in a vast number of capacities. His recent service to Lamar University includes the Council of Instructional Departments as both a member and an executive member, the Risk Reduction Committee and the Lamar University Strategic Planning Core Team. He has also served his college and departments on numerous other committees as both a member and chairman.

Under Craig’s leadership the Department of Industrial Engineering has significantly contributed to the College of Engineering. Working with Ken Evans, Lamar University’s president, Craig helped establish the Center for Advances in Port Management.  Craig is also the director of the Maritime Safety Research Initiative, a collaboration between the maritime industry and Lamar University. The Lamar University/Emerson Center for Operations Excellence has also been established. Craig led the Bachelor of Science Industrial Engineering program Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology reaccreditation, resulting in no shortcomings in 2012 and 2018. The first Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering (BSIE) 2+2 online degree program option in the U.S. was created in 2014 and graduated its first students in 2016. The online option was ranked #1 in 2019 for “2019 Best Online Colleges Offering Bachelor of Science in Engineering Degrees” in the U.S. by the SR Education Group. Craig also introduced a new Master of Science in Engineering Management online option in 2014, and the number of students in the department remains steady at 350.  Additionally, during Craig’s tenure, full-time faculty have increased from six to 13, and currently stands at 11; online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology degree students have increased from 330 in 2012 to 500 in 2015. For the first time in 18 years, Lamar University, Department of Industrial Engineering hosted the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering Student Regional (South Central Region) Conference, Feb. 28 – Mar. 2, 2019.

Craig, who is a Professional Engineer registered in the State of Texas and Certified Professional Ergonomist, is a two-time University Research Enhancement Grant Award recipient, a University Scholar Award recipient and a University Merit Award winner, among other achievements. He is a member of Alpha Pi Mu, the Institute of Industrial Engineers, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the American Society of Safety Engineers.

“I am delighted that Dr. Craig is the new Dean of the College of Engineering; he was selected as the sole finalist after a national search conducted by a committee composed of faculty, staff, students and alumni within the College of Engineering,” said James Marquart, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It is a testament to Dr. Craig’s stellar credentials that he was selected, and I look forward to working with him on all aspects on our engineering programs.

Please join us in congratulating Brian Craig on his new position.