Professor Rodney Priestley Named Graduate School Dean

Photo: Frank Wojciechowski

By Julie Bonette

Published March 24, 2022

1 min read

Rodney Priestley, a chemical and biological engineering professor with expertise in materials science and Princeton’s inaugural vice dean for innovation, has been named dean of the University’s graduate school, effective June 1.

Priestley’s priorities as dean will include diversifying the student body, cultivating a more inclusive and welcoming environment, broadening professional and career development, and innovating in the humanities, according to a University announcement.

Priestley joined the faculty in 2009. Since 2021, he has been co-director of the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Northeast Hub, a job that he will continue as dean. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at École Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles in Paris.

Deputy Dean Cole Crittenden *05 has served as acting dean since last July, when philosophy professor Sarah-Jane Leslie *07 left the position.

Published in the April 2022 Issue

Administration

1 Response

Jim Faller *63

2 Years Ago

In the latest issue, Rodney Priestley’s priorities as graduate school dean were listed as diversifying the student body, cultivating a more inclusive and welcoming environment, broadening professional and career development, and innovating the humanities — all fine. Missing, however, were any mention of also championing Princeton’s academic excellence and the hiring of a faculty who will have the tools and drive to make tomorrow’s Princeton even better than is today’s.