Bagley, Mukai Named Interim UW College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Associate Deans

David Bagley and David Mukai have been named interim associate deans in the University of Wyoming’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Bagley is interim associate dean for graduate education and research, and Mukai will be the interim associate dean for undergraduate education.

Bagley will join the college’s leadership team and lead in key areas to support graduate education and research endeavors. He replaces Paul Dellenback, who will retire at the end of the academic year. Dellenback has been with UW since 1990 in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, where he eventually rose to become the department head.

“I am excited to welcome Dave Bagley to our leadership team. He will provide strategy and vision that serve both students and faculty members,” says Cameron Wright, interim dean of the UW College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. “Dave’s accomplishments as a faculty member -- and his commitment to our mission and values -- have prepared him very well for this crucial role that spans both education and research.”

Bagley says the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences has a “proud tradition” of developing students, new ideas and technologies that benefit the citizens and industries of Wyoming and outside the state.

“I look forward to working with our terrific faculty, staff and students to build on that tradition as we work to further improve the well-being of the people and economy of Wyoming through exceptional graduate education and technical innovation,” he says.

Bagley completed his B.S. degree (1984) in chemical and petroleum refining engineering from Colorado School of Mines; and his M.S. (1989) and Ph.D. (1993) degrees in environmental engineering, both from Cornell University.

After graduating from Cornell, Bagley worked as an environmental engineer with CH2M Hill Inc. in Deerfield Beach, Fla. In 1994, he started his career in academia, joining the faculty of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Bagley began his UW career in 2005 as an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, and was appointed head of that department in August 2007, a position he held through December 2010. In July 2008, Bagley was promoted to professor and, in January 2011, Bagley was appointed head of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, a position he held through March 2015 when he returned to the professoriate in the newly created Department of Chemical Engineering.

He has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and other publications, and he is a member of various job-related associations.

Mukai will join the college’s leadership team and lead in key areas to support undergraduate education, including the college’s 10 baccalaureate programs, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology accreditation and the Center for Student Success.

“I am delighted to welcome David Mukai into this key leadership role in directing these important efforts for the college. David brings with him not only an impressive set of professional experiences, but also a personal commitment to elevating engineering education in the lives of our students,” Wright says. “We are excited to have David join the Dean’s Office and help us best serve the college.”

Mukai replaces Steve Barrett, who was recently named UW’s associate vice provost for undergraduate education. Barrett has been with UW since 1999 in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Mukai says he is honored to be given the privilege to serve the college in his new role. He lists three areas that led him to accept this position: the opportunity to serve a wider population of students in the college; the talented and dedicated staff in the Dean’s Office; and the leadership in the Dean’s Office.

“Finally, let me say that Steve Barrett leaves big shoes to fill, and I thank him for the example he has set during his years of service and his help in transitioning to this new role,” he adds.

Mukai, an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, just completed his 20th academic year at UW. He has served in a variety of service roles within the college, including student-led projects. He has been published in several peer-reviewed journals and publications, and has received several on-campus awards.

Mukai received his bachelor’s (1983) and master’s (1985) degrees in civil engineering, both from the University of Hawaii; and his doctoral degree (1991) in civil engineering from the University of Washington.