By Althea Johnson, University Communications and Marketing
The University of South Florida today announced the appointment of Levi Thompson as the new dean of the College of Engineering. Thompson is a highly accomplished researcher who brings strong leadership and administrative experience, including most recently serving as the College of Engineering dean at the University of Delaware and previously as a faculty member at the University of Michigan.
Thompson will seek to build on the College of Engineering’s sustained record of excellence in educating students, conducting impactful research and elevating the community through important partnerships. His role will include a wide range of responsibilities, from guiding the recruitment, development and retention of faculty and staff, championing the college’s research and teaching programs, and fostering relationships with the college’s alumni, friends, donors and advisory councils. In addition, Thompson will work closely within the university on interdisciplinary programs, joint faculty appointments and other strategic academic initiatives.
“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Thompson to the University of South Florida,” USF Provost and Executive Vice President Prasant Mohapatra said. “We look forward to Dr. Thompson using his experience and leadership to enhance the college’s impact on student success, expand the reach of its research activities and further showcase the excellent work being done to advance key fields in science and engineering.”
In his previous leadership positions, Thompson oversaw initiatives to expand student access and success, increase enrollment and revenue, as well as strengthen research activities. His efforts helped the College of Engineering at the University of Delaware significantly increase enrollment, double research expenditures, and achieve its highest-ever U.S. News & World Report ranking, breaking into the Top 25 among public universities.
His scholarly research on nanostructured materials for catalytic and energy storage applications is described in more than 150 publications and has generated 14 patents, several of which have been licensed. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and a recipient of multiple awards, including the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award and Michiganian of the Year Award for his research, entrepreneurship and teaching.
In addition, Thompson co-founded T/J Technologies, a developer of nanomaterials for advanced batteries that was acquired by A123 Systems, and Inmatech, a developer of low-cost, high-energy density supercapacitors for automotive and military applications.
Prior to his tenure in Delaware, Thompson was a faculty member at the University of Michigan, where he served as associate dean for undergraduate education, director of the Hydrogen Energy Technology Laboratory, and director of the Michigan-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. Thompson earned his bachelor’s in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware, and master’s in chemical engineering and nuclear engineering, along with his doctorate in chemical engineering, from the University of Michigan.
"I am excited to join USF at such a pivotal time. Over the past 10 years, USF has been on an incredible journey, and I am honored to be part of the next push to excellence,” Thompson said. “The College of Engineering will play a significant role in advancing the university’s research enterprise forward while delivering meaningful outcomes for our students, ensuring their success, and creating lasting impact."
Thompson will officially join the USF community in his new position in August.