Dean Chris Swan

Chris Swan

Chris Swan received a ScD degree in civil and environmental engineering from MIT in 1994 and both his BS and MS degrees in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984 and 1986, respectively. Prior to obtaining his ScD, Swan worked for GZA Geoenvironmental, Inc., a national engineering consulting firm specializing in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering projects. He has presented a number of technical seminars and guest presentations in the areas of site remediation techniques, solid waste management, and various topics in engineering education.

Swan currently teaches undergraduate-level courses that introduce general concepts of civil and environmental engineering (CEE 001) and geotechnical engineering (CEE 042). An initiator of the use of service learning in department courses, Swan continues to champion the development, implementation, and assessment of community engagement efforts in engineering education.

Chris Swan's current research interests lie in the areas of engineering education, waste reuse, and unique soil behaviors. Specific research projects include: impacts of community engagement on the education of engineering students; evaluating the benefits and barriers to faculty who are involved in various community engagement in engineering education efforts; research on the reuse of fly ash from coal burning facilities as a component of a synthetic lightweight aggregate; and behavior of soils undergoing cycles of freezing and thawing.