August 18, 2025
As the fall semester gets underway, new and continuing leaders are stepping into key roles at Mizzou Engineering to take on new challenges in technology, education and workforce development, and to prepare students to lead with purpose.
“These are the authors of the next chapter of Mizzou Engineering,” Dean Marisa Chrysochoou said. “Their experience, perspective and a clear sense of purpose will help shape the future of the College. I look forward to working with each of them.”
Patrick Arens: Director of Industry Engagement
In this newly created role, Arens will cultivate and expand corporate partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students — through internships, collaborative projects, mentorships and more — while advancing the College’s broader strategic research priorities and industry engagement efforts.
“I am thrilled to have joined Mizzou Engineering at a moment of opportunity and expectation,” he said. “The College has the leadership, expertise and talent to help tackle the practical challenges faced by today’s enterprises and industries. I’m truly excited to help build the bridges that benefit our students, partners and community.”
Prasad Calyam: Interim Associate Dean for Research
Calyam is leading efforts to grow the College’s research enterprise. He will support faculty in developing proposals for external funding, growing research center efforts and building interdisciplinary partnerships across departments. He will also represent Mizzou Engineering in campus-wide planning around faculty recruitment, research strategy and infrastructure.
“I’m honored to help accelerate Mizzou Engineering’s high-impact research excellence through strategic collaborations, faculty mentorship, modernization of research facilities for interdisciplinary AI research, and investment in our graduate student researchers,” he said
Roger Fales: Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Success
Fales is expanding his efforts to create more meaningful research opportunities for undergraduates, helping them connect their academic work with research that supports both advanced study and career readiness.
“Engaging students in research early on helps them connect their classroom learning to find solutions to meaningful problems,” he said. “It also prepares them to lead in the fields of tomorrow.”
Fales is developing an engineering education research portfolio designed to enhance student learning and achievement. He is also working to strengthen faculty professional development for effective teaching practices, while collaborating with the associate deans for research and graduate studies to recruit, retain and integrate students into the College’s broader research mission.
Jennifer Fiegel: Chair of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Fiegel will guide her department in building new connections across chemical, biological and biomedical engineering. She will also focus on strengthening departmental culture and broadening opportunities for collaboration.
“What drew me to Mizzou is the opportunity to bring these disciplines together to reflect the future of education and research in these fields,” she said. “The most impactful innovations happen when people from different areas come together with a shared purpose. I can’t wait to help foster that kind of collaborative culture.”
Chi-Ren Shyu: Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Strategic Initiatives
Shyu will lead efforts to strengthen and expand the College’s graduate programs. His responsibilities include enhancing student recruitment, advancing faculty mentorship training, and building strategic partnerships with industry. In addition to his role in graduate education, he continues to lead major initiatives such as Mizzou’s IBM Quantum Innovation Center.
“I’m excited to help shape the next generation of engineering scholars and innovators,” he said. “By aligning our graduate education with industry needs and emerging technologies, we can prepare a graduate-level workforce that’s ready for the future.”
Vision for impact
Together, these leaders reflect a clear and shared vision for the College — one that values strong academic programs, purposeful collaboration and work that matters to communities and industries around the world.
“These appointments reflect our commitment to nurturing a culture where curiosity, leadership and excellence thrive,” Chrysochoou said. “By advancing research, enriching student experiences and building meaningful external partnerships, we are building a stronger, more impactful future for Mizzou Engineering.”
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