The John and Marcia Price College of Engineering today announced the appointment of three new leadership positions that aim to foster the success of researchers throughout the career pipeline: from undergrads, to graduate students, to faculty. They are Associate Dean of Faculty Eric Pardyjak, Director of Graduate Affairs Taylor Sparks, and Director of Undergraduate Affairs Swomitra (Bobby) Mohanty.

Associate Dean of Faculty: Eric Pardyjak

Eric Pardyjak, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, will serve as the inaugural Associate Dean of Faculty (ADF) in the Price College of Engineering. This newly created position is designed to support faculty in achieving success in research, teaching, leadership, and professional growth while maintaining a balanced and fulfilling career.

About Eric Pardyjak

Professor Pardyjak brings extensive experience in faculty mentorship, research leadership, and academic service. He has served as the Department of Mechanical Engineering Retention, Promotion, and Tenure (RPT) Chair and as a member and chair of the Price College of Engineering RPT Committee, providing him with deep insight into faculty career development and advancement. His research credentials are equally impressive, with more than 140 peer-reviewed journal publications and more than 25 years of experience organizing and participating in international field experiments. In recognition of his contributions to the field of atmospheric turbulence in mountainous terrain, he was awarded a Franco-American Fulbright award. Additionally, he serves as an Associate Editor of Environmental Fluid Mechanics and is on the editorial board of Measurement Science & Technology.

About the Associate Dean of Faculty Role

The Associate Dean of Faculty will provide dedicated support for faculty at every stage of their careers, ensuring they have the resources, mentorship, and guidance needed to excel. The ADF will focus on:

  • Faculty Mentoring & Career Development — Providing guidance on career advancement, professional growth, and leadership opportunities within the university and beyond.
  • Onboarding & Early-Career Success — Ensuring that new faculty have the tools, networks, and knowledge to thrive from the start.
  • Research Funding & Grant Success — Offering insights, workshops, and individual support on securing funding and building strong research programs.
  • Managing Research Teams — Supporting best practices for running research groups, mentoring PhD students, and leading impactful projects.
  • Navigating Tenure & Promotion — Assisting faculty through the RPT processes to set them up for long-term success.
  • Work-Life Balance & Well-Being — Promoting strategies to maintain a sustainable career and personal fulfillment.

This position is an investment in faculty well-being and success, something that Eric has demonstrated throughout his career. His extensive experience and commitment to faculty development will be instrumental in shaping this role and ensuring that it provides meaningful support.

Director of Graduate Affairs: Taylor Sparks

Taylor Sparks, professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, will serve as the inaugural Director of Graduate Affairs (DGA) in the Price College of Engineering. This newly created position is designed to enhance and strengthen graduate education and research in the College, ensuring that our graduate students and postdoctoral researchers have the resources, mentorship, and support needed to thrive.

About Taylor Sparks

Sparks brings a wealth of experience in graduate education, faculty leadership, and student mentorship. He has served as a representative on the University of Utah Academic Senate and the Academic Senate Executive Committee (2019–2022), providing him with valuable insight into university-wide academic policies and graduate education initiatives. His leadership roles include serving as the Director of the Materials Characterization Laboratory (2013–2019) and the NSF ReUSE REU Site (2019–2024). In addition to his administrative experience, he is a recognized leader in the field of materials science, currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation and previously as an Associate Editor for Computational Materials Science and Data in Brief (2019–2024).

Sparks has demonstrated a deep commitment to graduate student mentorship, having supervised 8 postdocs, 23 MS students, 16 PhD students, and 52 undergraduate research assistants. His innovative approach to education extends beyond the university—he is the co-host and co-creator of the leading materials science podcast, Materialism, and the creator of a highly-viewed materials science YouTube channel.

About the Director of Graduate Affairs Role

The Director of Graduate Affairs will work closely with Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor Sneha Kasera, and Associate Dean of Research, Professor Kevin Whitty, to grow and strengthen graduate education and research in the College. This position is dedicated to:

  • Enhancing Graduate Student Recruitment — Developing and implementing strategies to attract highly qualified graduate students, both domestically and internationally.
  • Strengthening Graduate Student Retention — Establishing fellowship programs, securing funding opportunities, and managing application processes to provide financial support for graduate students.
  • Building a Stronger Graduate Community — Organizing workshops, seminars, and networking events to support professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Ensuring Tuition Benefit Compliance — Overseeing tuition waivers, budget allocation, and ensuring departments utilize tuition benefits appropriately.
  • Recognizing Student Excellence — Managing the selection process for the College Outstanding Dissertation Award.
  • Improving Graduate Student Success Metrics — Analyzing enrollment trends, graduation rates, and other key metrics to support data-driven decision making.
  • Supporting Postdoctoral Development — Creating a vibrant postdoc community through networking, training programs, and professional development initiatives.
  • Representing the College at the University Level — Engaging with University committees and staying informed on Graduate School policies to provide guidance to faculty and department administrators.

This role is a direct investment in the success of our graduate students, postdocs, and faculty mentors, ensuring that our graduate programs continue to grow in excellence and impact.

Swomitra (Bobby) MohantyDirector of Undergraduate Affairs: Swomitra (Bobby) Mohanty

Swomitra (Bobby) Mohanty, professor in the departments of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, will serve as the inaugural Director of Undergraduate Affairs (DUA) in the Price College of Engineering. This newly created position is dedicated to enhancing undergraduate education, strengthening student support, and growing our enrollments through recruitment, outreach, and retention initiatives. The DUA will play a pivotal role in preparing students to academically and professionally thrive while fostering a strong sense of community within the College.

About Bobby Mohanty

Mohanty brings a deep commitment to undergraduate education, student success, and workforce development. As the Director of the Crus Scholars Program at the Roger and Dawn Crus Renewable Energy Center, he has provided impactful research experiences for undergraduate students while establishing collaborative pathways with Salt Lake Community College to support student transitions and career readiness.

He has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to student mentorship, having mentored over 37 undergraduates, leading to peer-reviewed publications and career opportunities —including two students who received NSF Graduate Research Fellowships. In addition to his work with undergraduates, he has successfully graduated 15 PhD and 2 MS students, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, and government.

Mohanty has also been an active advocate for student success as a member of the Price College of Engineering Student Success Committee, where he has worked to implement initiatives that improve student retention, academic performance, and career development. His passion for teaching excellence is evident in his roles as a CTLE Fellow for the College of Mines and Earth Sciences and a UPSTEM Fellow, where he has advanced inclusive teaching practices and enhanced the learning environment for all students.

Additionally, he has been instrumental in workforce development efforts, particularly in emerging fields like hydrogen energy and renewable resources, ensuring that students gain industry-relevant skills and are prepared for evolving career opportunities.

About the Director of Undergraduate Affairs Role

The Director of Undergraduate Affairs will work closely with Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor Sneha Kasera, to enhance undergraduate education and student success in the College. The DUA will focus on:

  • Improving Student Success Metrics — Supporting departments in reducing DEWI rates, improving course fill rates, increasing graduation rates, and enhancing student outcomes.
  • Enhancing Student Support — Providing leadership for academic advisors and outreach coordinators to ensure students receive the guidance and resources they need to succeed.
  • Strengthening Student Engagement & Development —Expanding student programs such as Engineering Scholars, Grand Challenges, Honors College, Engineering Entrepreneurship, and Learning Abroad to enrich the academic experience.
  • Recruiting & Retaining Outstanding Students — Growing “Utah Engineering” brand recognition, using scholarships strategically, and evaluating retention initiatives to attract and retain top students from Utah, across the U.S., and internationally.
  • Fostering a Stronger Campus Community — Strengthening the College’s collaboration with student clubs to promote extracurricular engagement and leadership development.
  • Ensuring Accreditation Compliance — Overseeing ABET and NWCCU accreditation processes and ensuring high educational standards are met across the College’s undergraduate programs.
  • Upholding Academic Integrity & Student Welfare — Providing fair and consistent oversight of academic appeals, misconduct cases, student petitions, and course fee proposals to uphold University policies and student success.
  • Engaging in University-Level Committees — Representing the College in university-wide efforts such as the University Innovation Alliance and Curriculum Planning Initiatives to improve undergraduate education across campus.

This new position reflects Price Engineering’s commitment to student success and ensuring that undergraduate education continues to grow in impact and excellence at the U.