Jessica Sparks, Ph.D. has stepped into a new leadership role at the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC). As of August 18, she now serves as Associate Dean for Personnel and Curriculum in the Dean’s Office.

For the past year, Professor Sparks has served as chair of the Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering (CPB) department. During Professor Sparks’ time as chair, the CPB department accomplished a number of strategic goals. These accomplishments include: the implementation of laboratory upgrades to support process control and automation, the establishment of a Clinical Engineering Advisory Committee to support the Clinical Engineering Master of Science program, the implementation of a modified approach to senior design projects, and progress on advancing the Writing Across the Curriculum initiative within the CPB department. Prior to her time as CPB chair, Professor Sparks served as Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education, Technology, and Innovation. In this role, Professor Sparks oversaw the implementation and assessment of the CEC 111/112 first year engineering and computing course sequence, led efforts to seek funding for multiple Choose Ohio First scholarship programs, and collaborated with CEC and Miami Regionals colleagues Brian Kirkmeyer and Cathy Moore on the development of transfer pathways from two-year colleges into CEC degree programs.

“I am delighted that Dr. Sparks will be returning to the Dean’s office to serve as the new Associate Dean for Personnel and Curriculum,” said Beena Sukumaran, Ph.D., the Dinesh and ILA Paliwal Dean of the Miami University College of Engineering and Computing. “She is the ideal candidate to step into this role following the retirement of Dr. Cameron. Dr. Sparks brings a unique combination of collaborative leadership, tenacity, and vision, which will be instrumental in achieving the college's aspirations and ensuring the success of our degree programs. Her deep commitment to student success and her ability to mentor her faculty colleagues will be invaluable to our college.”

In addition to her teaching, research, and administrative roles, Professor Sparks is responsible for spearheading Miami University’s membership in the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN). Since Miami was accepted into the KEEN network in 2023, she has been a champion for KEEN initiatives in strengthening engineering education excellence here at CEC. Professor Sparks is also a graduate of Drexel University’s Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering and Science (ELATES) program for 2024-2025. The ELATES program is a national leadership development program designed to promote women in academic STEM fields, and faculty allies of all genders, into institutional leadership roles.

“I am honored to have this tremendous opportunity to serve CEC. I believe strongly in the student-centered mission of CEC and of Miami overall,” said Professor Sparks. “My vision for this role is to listen and advocate, to help mediate complex challenges, and to look for opportunities to create value in CEC operations.”

Jessica Sparks received her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from The Ohio State University (2007). She holds a B.S. degree from the University of Notre Dame in Pre-Medical Studies and Philosophy, and she earned a Master’s degree in Anatomy from The Ohio State University. After five years as a faculty member and researcher at Wake Forest University, Dr. Sparks joined Miami University as an Associate Professor in August 2012. She was promoted to Professor in 2018.