Dr. Chell Roberts is the founding dean of the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering at the University of San Diego (USD), where he has led the development of a forward-thinking engineering program. Under his guidance, the school has advanced experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global engagement to prepare students for the complex demands of today’s engineering and technology sectors.

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Prior to joining USD, Dr. Roberts served as Founder and Executive Dean at Arizona State University’s College of Technology and Innovation, where he played a key role in advancing project-based learning and expanding academic-industry partnerships. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Tech, and his research spans systems engineering, manufacturing processes, and the transformation of engineering education.

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Dr. Roberts brings extensive experience in international higher education through institutional partnerships, student mobility programs, and global curricular design. He has been an advocate for deepening U.S. collaborations with institutions in India and Southeast Asia, emphasizing the value of culturally responsive pedagogy and global skill-building in STEM education. His research has been published in Computers & Industrial Engineering, the Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, the International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, and others.

 

His perspectives on international academic engagement have been featured in national and international media, including The Economic Times, where he spoke about the evolving role of U.S.–India education ties.

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At TrustED, Dr. Roberts contributes his expertise in engineering education, institutional innovation, and international engagement, offering strategic insight into how transparency and cross-border collaboration can shape more equitable and future-ready higher education systems.