Case Western Reserve University is bringing a new kind of engineering chief to Cleveland. Susan Hagness, a nationally recognized electrical engineer and longtime University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty member, has been named the next dean of the Case School of Engineering. She will be the first woman to hold the post and is expected to begin on July 1, 2026, bringing with her a portfolio that connects applied electromagnetics and biomedical engineering.
According to Cleveland.com, university officials announced Hagness's selection on April 9 and said she will take office on July 1, 2026. Case Western Reserve President Eric W. Kaler praised her selection, saying, "Susan epitomizes what Case School of Engineering’s community is known for: purpose-driven individuals who seek solutions that can help humanity," the outlet reports. The same report notes that Hagness plans to meet students, faculty, staff and alumni in listening sessions this fall as she settles into the role.
UW–Madison Roots and Administrative Experience
Hagness has spent nearly 30 years on the University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty and, since 2018, has chaired the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering while holding the Philip D. Reed and Maria Stuchly named professorships, according to UW–Madison. The department she led included roughly 1,500 students and about 60 faculty members, and she previously served as associate dean for research and graduate affairs. That track record is what Case highlighted in searching for a dean able to grow research activity and academic programs.
Research That Connects Engineering and Medicine
Hagness's research centers on microwave interactions with human tissue, including imaging techniques and microwave thermal therapies aimed at cancer detection and treatment, work documented in peer‑reviewed publications archived on PubMed Central. Northwestern University's McCormick School noted her February election to the National Academy of Engineering, recognizing her contributions to computational electromagnetics and biomedical applications. Together, those publications and honors help explain why local coverage refers to her as a nationally noted scholar.
What This Means for Case
Hagness's biomedical engineering focus could deepen ties between Case and Cleveland's major health systems while boosting applied research and interdisciplinary programs, Cleveland.com reports. The appointment also marks a diversity milestone, as women remain a minority among U.S. engineering deans, with recent counts showing roughly 75–80 women leaders in the field, according to the Society of Women Engineers. Campus stakeholders told local reporters they hope the new dean will prioritize faculty recruitment, student support and partnerships across the medical campus.
Hagness arrives in Cleveland with a mix of high‑profile research and hands‑on department leadership, and Case leaders say they expect her to focus on research translation, graduate education and community partnerships. The university plans a formal transition over the summer so she can begin on July 1, 2026, and campus stakeholders will have an early chance to meet her during the fall listening sessions.
