Susan Hagness, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will become dean of the Case School of Engineering beginning July 1, 2026, Case Western Reserve University announced today. Hagness will become the first woman to be dean of engineering in the university’s history.
In nearly 30 years at UW-Madison, Hagness, the Philip D. Reed Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Maria Stuchly Professor of Electrical Engineering, has gained renown as both an electrical engineer who successfully transformed ideas into inventions and as a collaborative leader who chaired ECE for the past eight years. Hagness’ research focuses primarily on microwave interactions with human tissue, including developing techniques to image, detect and treat cancers.
“Susan epitomizes what Case School of Engineering’s community is known for: purpose-driven individuals who seek solutions that can help humanity,” Case Western Reserve University President Eric W. Kaler says. “Her experience as a prolific researcher, an interdisciplinary partner and a visionary leader makes her an ideal person to fill this integral role.”
As chair of a department with nearly 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students, almost 60 faculty members and a dozen administrative staff, Hagness championed the creation and implementation of two five-year strategic plans, grew the faculty and fostered professional development across all career stages. She also helped build a collaborative culture across eight core research areas, invested in new research and instructional facilities, and facilitated the expansion of undergraduate and graduate academic programs, among many other achievements. Hagness also previously served as College of Engineering associate dean for research and graduate affairs.
Her outstanding research and commitment to service has earned Hagness many honors. Earlier this year, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. She’s also a fellow of IEEE, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and the National Academy of Inventors. She is a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Early Career Achievement Award, the IEEE Education Society Mac E. Van Valkenburg Early Career Teaching Award, the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) Issac Koga Gold Medal, the USNC-URSI Impact Award, and the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Distinguished Achievement Award.
“Susan’s experience at UW-Madison aligns not only closely with Case Western Reserve’s focus today, but our vision for the future,” says Case Western Reserve University provost and executive vice president Joy K. Ward.
Devesh Ranjan, dean of the UW-Madison College of Engineering, says Hagness is an outstanding leader. “The Case School is gaining an immense talent,” he says. “While it is difficult for our college to lose such an impactful researcher and thoughtful, forward-looking leader, we are proud that Susan will be able to share our collaborative spirit and the Wisconsin Idea with such an outstanding peer institution. We have no doubt that good things are on the horizon for both the Case School and for Susan. We wish her the best in this next chapter.”
Hagness says the Case School of Engineering’s unique setting is one of the things that initially piqued her interest: “[I was intrigued by] the combination of CWRU’s strong ecosystem for scientific discovery and engineering innovation and its world-renowned medical school, all on a Great Lake in a vibrant city with NASA’s Glenn Research Center in its backyard and a strong base of tech companies and the performing arts throughout the region,” she says. “I quickly realized that this is a proverbial unicorn.”
But it was what she learned on her visits to campus—most importantly, the quality of the people at the university—that solidified Hagness’ commitment.
“What sold me on joining CWRU,” Hagness says, “is the warmth and collaborative ethos embodied by the people I’ve met so far and the opportunities and genuine interest in building further partnerships across campus. I’m honored to join such a stellar leadership team in this endeavor and to advance the impressive work that CWRU engineering is well known for both nationally and internationally.”
Hagness says she’s most excited to meet the students, faculty, staff and alumni of the school through listening sessions this fall.
“I’m eager to learn about the Case School of Engineering community’s boldest aspirations,” Hagness said. “And I can’t wait to get to work on realizing those dreams together.”
A version of this press release was originally published by the Case School of Engineering.