New Graduate School Dean Named

Maureen Grasso, dean of the University of Georgia’s Graduate School, has been named dean of the Graduate School at NC State. She begins her appointment on July 1.

A nationally recognized leader in graduate education, Grasso has served as dean at Georgia since 2002, overseeing a graduate program with more than 6,600 students, 95 doctoral programs, 138 master’s programs and 17 specialty degree programs. Among her numerous accomplishments, a focus on graduate student diversity resulted in a 54 percent increase in African-American graduate students during her tenure. She is also a tenured professor of textile sciences.

NC State’s Graduate School includes approximately 7,700 students and more than 220 degree programs that span the university’s 10 academic colleges. International students comprise one-quarter of NC State’s graduate student population.

“Maureen Grasso brings a wealth of experience and innovation in graduate education,” said Provost Warwick Arden. “We look forward to her leadership and expertise in growing an already-prominent program.”

“It is a great honor to have this opportunity to lead the Graduate School as NC State implements its strategic vision to be a pre-eminent technological research university,” Grasso said. “NC State has taken an innovative approach to providing graduate students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their careers. I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty, staff and students to build on NC State’s considerable strengths.”

Grasso has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work, including the Southern Graduate Schools Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate Education in 2009. She is a member of the Council of Graduate School board of directors and has served in a number of leadership positions on the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools.

She is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers and has served in many of its leadership positions. She currently serves on its foundation’s board of trustees.

Grasso has been invited to present numerous papers on topics ranging from the benefits of interdisciplinary research to enhancing doctoral completion rates.

Prior to her tenure at Georgia, Grasso served as associate dean and interim dean of the Graduate School at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. There she developed three innovative interdisciplinary degree programs to meet a growing need. She also served as a tenured professor and as faculty senate chair for two years.

Grasso began her academic career at the University of Texas at Austin, gaining tenure as a textiles and apparel professor and also serving as a department head.

Grasso received her bachelor’s degree in textiles clothing from Utah State University, her master’s in textile science from Cornell University, and her Ph.D. in textile science from the University of Tennessee.