CECS Leadership
Ozlem Kilic – Dean
“The future is arriving fast at UT with the launch of CECS and its dynamic team, reimagining higher education for the next generation and beyond. Our students will be equipped with skills and knowledge required to adapt to rapidly evolving industries, work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and address real world challenges through our state of the art pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning.”
Read Ozlem Kilic’s Full Bio:
Ozlem Kilic is the Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of the new College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS).
Prior to coming to UT, Kilic served in various leadership roles such as the depart chair of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and as the associate dean of engineering at the Catholic University of America. She also co-supervised the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering program in partnership with the Haslam College of Business. She has led multiple initiatives designed to enhance student recruitment and retention, such as the establishment of Student Success and Women in Engineering offices in engineering.
She was also instrumental in the launch of the intercollegiate data science minor — a collaboration among the Tickle College of Engineering; College of Arts and Sciences; Haslam College of Business; College of Communication and Information; Herbert College of Agriculture; College of Education, Health and Human Sciences; College of Architecture and Design; College of Nursing; and the College of Social Work — and serves as its executive director. It is this work that led to the discussions on how to improve intercollegiate education on campus ultimately leading to the launch of CECS.
Prior to coming to UT, Kilic was a professor and served as the associate dean of engineering at the Catholic University of America. She has also worked as an electronics engineer at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory where she managed Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Programs, and as a program manager at Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications.
Associate Dean
To Be Announced
Vandana Singh – Program Director
Before joining CECS, Vandana Singh was a Professor in the School of Information Sciences and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of Communication and Information. She has served as the Director for Undergraduate Studies and the Coordinator for the undergraduate minor at the School of Information Sciences.
Read Vandana Singh’s Full Bio:
Singh’s research focuses on Open-Source Software, Gender and Information Technology, Diversity in Software Engineering, Online Learning, AI education, AI Ethics, and Technology for rural libraries. She teaches Web Design, Usability Testing and Methods, Foundations of Information Technology, and DEI for Technology Professionals. She has received funding from federal agencies such as National Science Foundation (NSF), IMLS, and the United States Geological Society (USGS) and an industry grant from Google.
Singh’s work is published in top information science journals, national and international conferences, and books. Her research publications have received several awards at different venues, including the best research paper award. She is currently an Executive member of ACM-W North America and the chair of the Student Chapter for ACM-W North America. She is also the programming committee chair for the National Center for Women in Technology (NCWIT) academic alliance. For more information, please visit her website at- https://sis.utk.edu/vandana/
Xiaopeng Zhao – Program Director
Xiaopeng Zhao serves as a Program Director at the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS). He has extensive experience and expertise leading interdisciplinary programs, driving innovation, and establishing partnerships with industry and academic institutions.
Read Xiaopeng Zhao’s Full Bio:
Before joining CECS, Zhao held the position of professor of biomedical engineering at UT. Since joining the university in 2007, he has made significant contributions to research in machine learning, robotics, healthcare, and dynamics and control. His groundbreaking research and innovative algorithms have been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Science Foundation CAREER award. Notably, Zhao’s work in physiological signal analysis and enhancement has garnered widespread attention for its impact on healthcare and diagnosis.
Zhao has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles and delivered presentations at conferences worldwide. He actively engages in collaborative research projects, including serving as project director for the One UT Collaboration and Innovation Grant on Detection, Care, and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. His expertise has attracted funding from renowned organizations such as the NIH, NSF, Veterans Affairs, and various foundations.
Joshua Fagan – Lecturer
Joshua Fagan serves as a lecturer for the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS).
Read Joshua Fagan’s Full Bio:
Dr. Fagan, a lecturer in the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies, is passionate about making AI accessible to all. Having earned a Ph.D. in CS from UTK (Go Vols!), Dr. Fagan is deeply rooted in the institution’s ethos. With a commitment to democratizing AI education, their teaching and research interests revolve around the philosophy of “AI for All.” Through his education background and years of teaching in an “Active Learning” environment, Dr. Fagan brings a wealth of knowledge to the classroom, ensuring that students, regardless of their background, can engage with and comprehend the intricacies of AI concepts. Through innovative pedagogical approaches, Dr. Fagan aspires to foster an environment where the transformative potential of AI is within reach for everyone.
Dania Bilal – Faculty Fellow – Applied Artificial Intelligence
Dania Bilal of the College of Communication and Information serves as a Faculty Fellow for the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS).
Himanshu Thapliyal – Faculty Fellow – Applied Cybersecurity
Himanshu Thapliyal of the Tickle College of Engineering serves as a Faculty Fellow for the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS).
Michael McKinney – Faculty Fellow – Applied Sustainability
Michael McKinney of the College of Arts and Sciences serves as a Faculty Fellow for the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS).
Joshua Rosenberg – Faculty Fellow – Data Science
Joshua Rosenberg of the College of Health, Education, and Human Services serves as a Faculty Fellow for the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS).
Employment Opportunities
Interested in joining our team? Please see open positions below: