Ning Fang Named Associate Dean of Faculty and International Affairs at USU College of Engineering

The Utah State University College of Engineering has appointed Ning Fang as the new associate dean of faculty and international affairs.

Fang most recently held a dual appointment as department head of the Engineering Education Department and as a professor. His appointment as the associate dean took effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Ning Fang into this new role,” said David Jones, dean of the College of Engineering. “His proven leadership and scholarly accomplishments will be instrumental in advancing faculty success and strengthening the college’s commitment to excellence.”

In his new role, Fang will primarily provide leadership and strategic direction for faculty affairs across the college. He will also play a role in growing the college’s international relationships, supporting global engagement and fostering collaborative partnerships that enhance teaching, research and innovation.

Fang is widely recognized as a leading researcher and expert in the emerging field of engineering education, which focuses on preparing a highly skilled engineering workforce to meet the nation’s growing demand for engineers with strong professional knowledge and technical expertise.

His research has made significant contributions to the field and spans several critical areas, including the development of innovative educational technologies to enhance teaching and learning in engineering classrooms, the application of educational data mining to inform decision- and policymaking, and the study of best practices in engineering workforce development.

“I am deeply honored to serve in this new role,” Fang said. “Over the past decades, our college has built a strong national reputation for research excellence and quality education. As we expand our faculty and launch many new degree programs, there are tremendous opportunities to strategically develop and support faculty and promote international collaboration. I look forward to furthering our mission and goals.”

Fang earned a doctorate from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, a master’s degree from Harbin Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree from Hefei University of Science and Technology, all in mechanical engineering.

He has secured $4.5 million in research grants since joining Utah State University, including $3.5 million as the principal investigator, and has authored more than 200 papers and presentations. In addition, Fang has mentored 17 graduate students to completion, including 10 doctoral students and 7 master’s students as their major professor, and brings nearly 30 years of experience across industry, government and academia.

He was awarded a Fullbright Scholar Award and was recently nominated for the 2026 D. Wynne Thorne Career Research Award, Utah State’s most prestigious career research recognition for senior faculty.

With a research focus on teaching innovation, faculty effectiveness and workforce development, Fang brings a data-driven and faculty-centered perspective that will help strengthen academic programs and support faculty success across the college. His appointment reflects the college’s continued focus on excellence in teaching, research and global impact.