Meet Yi Deng, Drexel’s new Dean of Computing and Informatics

After a successful seven-year run as Dean of Computing and Informatics at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, professor Yi Deng is coming to Drexel.

The University City institution announced today that professor Deng will become Dean of Drexel’s College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) as of Sept. 1.

“I’m really excited about joining Drexel University, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Deng, who is taking over the CCI following the retirement of professor David Fenske.

Under Deng’s leadership, research funding at UNC Charlotte nearly tripled from $5 million when he started in 2009 to $14.8 million in 2016. The college saw its undergraduate enrollment double to 1,480 and its graduate enrollment increase by 140 percent, making UNC Charlotte’s one of the largest computing and informatics programs in the nation.

Drexel Provost Brian Blake said Deng’s efforts to boost research at UNC will help the CCI keep up with the increasing demand of highly skilled tech professionals.

“His record of commitment to building innovative programs, growing the research enterprise and fostering collaboration aligns him perfectly to guide our College forward on all of these fronts,” Blake said.

Deng is aware of Philly’s bustling tech scene, and said in his new role he will make every effort to make connections with local stakeholders and give support to entrepreneurial initiatives.

“In Philly we plan to build strong partnerships with the community, bringing the companies into our training of the students, in order to build a sustainable talent pipeline,” Deng said.

At UNC, he followed a similar model under an initiative called the CCI Business Partner Program, which linked 60 companies (some of them major companies) and UNC students through internships and co-ops.

“In this new landscape, it’s a tremendous opportunity for Drexel to serve as a strong partner with the local economy, helping drive jobs and commerce,” Deng said.