Eric Musselman Named Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs
Dr. Musselman
Villanova University’s College of Engineering has appointed Eric Musselman, PhD, PE, associate professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as its next Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, effective Jan. 1.
Dr. Musselman transitions to the role after serving as chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering since 2020. He succeeds David Jamison, PhD, who has assumed the newly created role of inaugural director of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering program.
“Dr. Musselman brings to this position a deep commitment to undergraduate education and a proven record of leadership within the College of Engineering,” said Michele Marcolongo, PhD, PE, the Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering. “I am confident that he will serve our faculty, staff and students with the same care, dedication and excellence that have defined his work to date.”
A member of the Villanova faculty since 2012, Dr. Musselman has extensive experience in undergraduate education, accreditation and academic leadership. As chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering, he guided the department through a period of significant growth and national recognition. During his tenure, research expenditures exceeded $3 million in 2024–25—nearly half of the College’s total research activity—and the department achieved nearly 100% undergraduate job placement.
Dr. Musselman has played a central role in undergraduate curriculum development and assessment throughout his career, serving as primary author of multiple successful ABET self-study reports and leading major curriculum revisions. He has remained deeply engaged in student advising and has worked closely with campus partners to support student success across academic and co-curricular experiences.
As Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, Dr. Musselman aims to strengthen support for undergraduate-focused staff and faculty, foster collaboration around accreditation and assessment best practices, expand outreach and recruiting efforts, and assist faculty with course and program innovation, including the integration of emerging technologies like AI.
“I am excited about the many opportunities to uphold and improve the Villanova experience for our faculty, staff and students in this role,” Dr. Musselman said.
As part of this leadership transition, Dr. Kristin Sample-Lord will serve as Interim Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering while an internal search for the next chair is conducted this semester. A prolific researcher and 2022 NSF CAREER Award recipient, Dr. Sample-Lord has served as assistant chair for several years and previously held the interim chair role in fall 2024. At the 2024 Commencement, she received the University Mid-Career Service Award, which recognizes a faculty member who has made extraordinary contributions to the welfare and functioning of their department, their college, the University and their profession.