Leadership Team

Under the supervision of Dean Kyongbum Lee, the leadership at Tufts School of Engineering consists of Deans and Directors, representing their respective areas of responsibility within the schools. These leaders work together as a team to promote and advance best practices of academic administration within the school.

Ellise LaMotte

Ellise LaMotte

Associate Dean of Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Success
The Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion (DSDI) serves as a resource for all undergraduate and graduate students across Arts and Sciences, SMFA at Tufts, and the School of Engineering. The division offers opportunities for students to think about social identities and the ways they impact our lives and the world. As the Associate Dean, Ellise LaMotte represents the needs of A&S, SMFA, and SOE students on the university-wide Cabinet on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and she supports the work of eight university centers: Africana Center, Asian American Center, Center for STEM Diversity, FIRST Resource Center, Indigenous Center, LGBT Center, Latinx Center, and Women's Center.

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Brandon Mennillo

Brandon Mennillo

Director of Administration
Working closely with the Executive Administrative Dean, Brandon Mennillo provides oversight on all administrative and financial matters pertaining to the school with specific emphasis on policy development, employee compensation and equity, core facility management, online academic programs, and summer course administration. Additionally, Brandon represents the School on several University-wide committees pertaining to Human Resources, IT, and space & facilities management.

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Kevin Oye

Kevin Oye

Executive Director, Tufts Gordon Institute
Tufts Gordon Institute develops technology leaders, providing training in vital skills and educating leaders who will go on to be innovators and problem solvers. As Executive Director, Kevin Oye oversees the institute’s academic programs and connections with industry.

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Karen Panetta

Karen Panetta

Dean of Graduate Education
As Dean of Graduate Education for the School of Engineering, Karen Panetta leads efforts to develop and strengthen engineering graduate programs. She works closely with faculty, students, administrators, and staff to recruit highly talented graduate students, to support current students in their academic studies and research, and to continue to develop graduate programs that prepare students for success in their fields.

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Matthew Panzer

Matthew Panzer

Dean of Research
Dean of Research Matthew Panzer works collaboratively with faculty, fostering research between departments, other schools, and outside sponsors, while working with the Director of Research Administration on all aspects of research administration, including compliance and financial issues.

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Merredith Portsmore

Merredith Portsmore

Director, Center for Engineering Education and Outreach
Merredith Portsmore is the Director of Tufts Center for Engineering Education and Outreach (CEEO). A leader in K-College engineering education, the CEEO works to prepare the next generation of problem-solvers by conducting cutting-edge educational research and transforming that research into tools, interventions, and outreach services.  Merredith oversees the overall Center mission, managing the overall operations, finances, and outreach services as well as providing the infrastructure and support for the cohort of faculty in engineering and education that have research housed at the Center.

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Leila Rice

Leila C. Rice

Senior Director of Development
Leila brings over 20 years of higher education fundraising and management experience, most recently at Merrimack College as Vice President and Special Assistant to the President, where she managed the school’s top philanthropic relationships. Her experience also includes serving as Senior Associate Vice President at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and overseeing planned giving programs at both Rochester Institute of Technology and Syracuse University. She has extensive knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, including working closely with engineering alumni, parents and friends.  Leila received her BA in Economics from Syracuse University and an MS in Finance from Bentley College.

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Keleigh Sanford

Keleigh Sanford

Director of Research Administration
As Director of Research Administration for the School of Engineering, Keleigh Sanford provides administrative leadership for research activities, including pre- and post-award support for sponsored projects and guidance on issues related to compliance.

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James Sarazen

James Sarazen

Executive Administrative Dean
As the Executive Administrative Dean, Jim Sarazen serves as chief financial officer and chief operating officer for the School of Engineering, and also as the school's lead administrative representative on all university-wide matters.

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Jennifer Stephan

Jennifer Stephan

Dean of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies
Jennifer Stephan oversees a team of advisors to provide holistic academic support for all undergraduate students in the School of Engineering. She collaborates with students, parents, faculty and staff university-wide to enable students to best meet their academic and personal goals, access campus resources, and navigate struggle or crisis. Stephan is responsible for School of Engineering orientation events and pre-major advising. She guides and implements changes to undergraduate academic policy, degree requirements, senior degree certification, and their associated processes.

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Chris Swan

Chris Swan

Dean of Undergraduate Education
Chris Swan is directly responsible for developing, implementing and assessing academic advising and the administration of the degrees awarded in 13 engineering disciplines. He serves as the School of Engineering's point person on educational policy.

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Craig Thomas

Craig Thomas

Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
As the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Craig Thomas leads the digital, traditional, and social media marketing strategy for, and manages all internal and external communications within, the School of Engineering.

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