Montana State names Christine Foreman as interim dean of engineering

BOZEMAN - Montana State University has appointed professor Christine Foreman as interim dean of the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering.

Foreman, who has been a MSU faculty member for more than 20 years, is a Distinguished Professor of chemical and biological engineering. For the past 13 years, she has served as associate dean of student success for the college.

Foreman succeeds Brett Gunnink, who is retiring this summer after 14 years as engineering dean. She will begin her new duties June 1.

"Dr. Foreman brings deep institutional knowledge, proven leadership and a steadfast commitment to students, faculty and staff," said Robert Mokwa, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "She is a thoughtful, collaborative leader whose integrity and experience make her exceptionally well suited to guide the college during this important time."

As associate dean for student success, Foreman has worked closely with faculty and staff to advance initiatives aimed at keeping students in school and improving graduation rates. She also worked to streamline curriculums, build college-wide retention strategies, increase the numbers of women in engineering and computing, and support faculty excellence.

Foreman is an internationally recognized researcher whose work includes exploring the seemingly inhospitable icy regions of our planet for microorganisms capable of surviving some of the most extreme conditions on Earth. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Earlier this year, Foreman was awarded one of the university's highest honors, the Provost's Award for Research and Graduate Student Mentoring.

"I am grateful for the trust placed in me and honored to serve the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering in this role," Foreman said. "This college is built on the dedication of its faculty, staff and students, and I am committed to working collaboratively to support their success and to move the college forward."

MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering enrolls more than 3,300 students and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, computing and engineering technology. The college is one of the largest contributors to Montana State University's research enterprise and workforce development mission for the state of Montana.