Following a national search, the University of New Orleans has appointed Lizette Chevalier as the new dean of the Dr. Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering. Chevalier, who has more than 25 years of experience as a faculty member, department chair, researcher and administrator, most recently served as associate provost for academic programs at Southern Illinois University.

“I am delighted to have Dr. Chevalier join the University,” said Mahyar Amouzegar, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “She has developed student success programs that have increased retention and enrollment while expanding access. She brings wide-ranging leadership experience in workforce development, research, industry partnerships, and faculty support and recruitment.”    

Throughout her career, Chevalier has assumed roles with progressively greater responsibility. As associate provost for academic affairs at Southern Illinois, she provided the long-term vision and management of the office charged with assuring quality academic programming. Prior to that position, she also served as acting co-provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, and associate dean for engineering education and outreach. For six years, she was chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Southern Illinois.

Chevalier’s interdisciplinary research is focused on watershed science and policy, environmental engineering technology, and advances in technology-enhanced engineering education. She has garnered over $6 million in research and education grants.

Chevalier holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Wayne State, and a master’s degree and doctorate in civil and environmental engineering, both from Michigan State. She is designated as a diplomate of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers, which is the highest level of advanced post-license certification offered in the water resources engineering profession. She is also a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a prestigious honor held by just 3% of ASCE members. She previously served as commissioner and is currently a member of the executive committee for the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.     

The Dr. Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering offers the only civil, electrical and mechanical engineering programs in the greater New Orleans area. Additionally, the Boysie Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering is the only such program in the state and one of the few in the nation.