Georgia Tech announced on May 27 the appointment of Mitchell L.R. Walker II as the next dean and Southern Company Chair of the College of Engineering, effective June 15. Walker currently serves as the William R.T. Oakes Jr. School Chair in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering.
Walker has been part of the Guggenheim School faculty since 2005, holding several leadership roles including associate chair for graduate studies and associate dean for academic affairs in the College’s dean’s office prior to his current position. Raheem Beyah, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, said, “Mitchell’s leadership and achievements reflect the excellence and innovation that define Georgia Tech. As a longtime member of our faculty, he brings a deep understanding of the Institute’s values and aspirations to this new role. I am confident he will build on the College of Engineering’s extraordinary legacy and elevate its global impact.”
Walker is recognized for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across schools at Georgia Tech, such as developing an interdisciplinary Minor in Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. He played a key role in securing $88 million in state funding for a new Aerospace Engineering Building through sustained advocacy efforts involving faculty, staff, alumni, advisory board members, and past leaders.
In his research career, Walker directs Georgia Tech’s High-Power Electric Propulsion Laboratory and leads JANUS—the $15 million Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute—a NASA Space Technology Research Institute focused on overcoming limitations in ground testing high-power electric propulsion systems for spacecraft flight applications. He is also involved with professional organizations including serving as a fellow at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), being part of AIAA’s Electric Propulsion Technical Committee, acting as associate editor for journals such as Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Frontiers in Physics, and Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences – Plasma Physics.
Walker said, “Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering represents the very best in innovation, impact, and collaboration. I am honored to lead such an accomplished community of faculty, staff, and students and look forward to building on its strong foundation. Together we will continue to advance research education partnerships that address the world’s most pressing challenges and improve lives.”
The Georgia Institute of Technology is known for producing military generals; Medal of Honor recipients; leaders in engineering; contributing $5.8 billion economic impact to Georgia; maintaining an urban campus over 400 acres; achieving top public university rankings; supporting undergraduate experiences; belonging to University System of Georgia—all according to the official website.
