Biography

 

Sherra E. Kerns, Ph.D.

Dr. Sherra E. Kerns became Olin's Vice President for Innovation and Research on September 1, 1999. She is also F.W. Olin Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Olin. Dr. Kerns came to Olin from Vanderbilt University, where she was a senior faculty member and held various posts, including Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Director of the multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional University Consortium for Research on Electronics in Space.

A Fellow of the IEEE, recipient of IEEE's prestigious Millennium Medal and prolific researcher, Dr. Kerns has received many awards for outstanding undergraduate teaching. She has been very active nationally in engineering education, serving as President of the National Electrical Engineering Department Heads Association (now ECEDHA), and in numerous posts for the American Association of Engineering Education (ASEE). Her work with ASEE includes service on the ASEE Board as Chair of ASEE Professional Interest Council I, as ASEE Vice President of Professional Interest Councils, and as ASEE First Vice President. She also served as a ABET Engineering Accreditation Commissioner representing ASEE. She recently became a member of the advisory committee of the National Academy of Engineering's Center for the Advancement of Scholarship on Engineering Education.

At Olin College, she is pioneering a unique administrative position with responsibility for enhancing faculty intellectual vitality and competence, providing opportunities for students to learn through discovery, and building a culture that rewards innovation and the taking of appropriate risks.