As Interim Dean, I’m honored to lead this remarkable community during an exciting moment in our journey—a time defined by innovation, momentum, and possibility. Fowler Engineering is more than a school; it’s a dynamic ecosystem where bold ideas meet real-world application, and where education is purposefully designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s students and tomorrow’s workforce.
What makes Fowler Engineering unique is our willingness to challenge the status quo. From our radically student-centered curriculum to our flexible, modern learning spaces, everything we do is driven by a commitment to relevance, creativity, and impact. We aren’t replicating traditional engineering education—we’re reimagining it.
From the very first day, our students engage in immersive, hands-on learning that mirrors the complexity of the world they’ll one day lead. Through courses like Engineering 101, they explore a range of disciplines while tackling tangible design challenges. They work in collaborative teams, think like entrepreneurs, and build solutions with direct societal value. Programs like Chapman’s Grand Challenges Initiative further extend this experience, giving students the opportunity to engage with interdisciplinary teams—engineers alongside scientists, artists, humanists, and social scientists—to solve pressing global problems.
Our faculty are outstanding educators, scholars, and industry experts who bring both theoretical rigor and practical insight to the classroom and the lab. They work side-by-side with students, conducting research that not only advances knowledge but delivers real-world results.
Fowler Engineering’s forward-thinking curriculum is designed with agility in mind. In a world where technology changes overnight, our programs are intentionally responsive—ensuring that graduates are not only job-ready but future-ready. Whether it's through our use of data-informed practices, our investment in experiential learning, or our commitment to inclusive excellence, every decision we make is grounded in preparing students to thrive in an ever-changing world.
The physical environment of our school—the Keck Center for Science and Engineering and the Swenson Family Hall of Engineering—reflects and reinforces this vision. These cutting-edge facilities are designed for collaboration, creativity, and community. Open labs, active learning spaces, and hands-on maker studios empower our students to learn by doing, from day one.
I am proud to work alongside a team of passionate educators, researchers, and innovators who are committed to excellence. Together, we are preparing a new generation of engineers—leaders, creators, and problem-solvers—who will not only be in high demand but who will shape the future with purpose and integrity.
Welcome to Fowler Engineering. Let’s build what’s next, together.
Warm regards,
Kendall T. Harris, PhD, P.E.
Interim Dean
Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering
Chapman University
About the Dean
Kendall T. Harris, Ph.D., P.E., a native of East St. Louis, Illinois, is a seasoned
university
administrator and faculty member with more than 25 years of experience in higher education.
Throughout his career, Dr. Harris has demonstrated dynamic, results-oriented leadership,
with a
strong track record of fostering institutional growth, improving student success outcomes,
and
enhancing organizational effectiveness across a variety of academic environments.
He is recognized
for developing and executing innovative strategies that improve retention, boost graduation
rates, and
align academic programs with evolving workforce demands.
Dr. Harris has held several high-level administrative roles, including Provost and
Vice President of
Academic Affairs and Research at Texas Southern University (2018–2021) and Dean of
the Roy G.
Perry College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University (2007–2017). Currently,
he serves with
The Registry, a prestigious organization of experienced higher education administrators,
where he
has completed multiple interim appointments. His current role at Chapman University
marks his third
engagement with The Registry, following his appointments as Interim Dean of the College
of
Engineering, Aviation, and Architecture at Bowling Green State University in Ohio,
and Interim Dean
of the College of Engineering and Science at the University of Texas Permian Basin.
In addition to his administrative leadership, Dr. Harris has consistently held faculty
appointments,
maintaining a strong presence in teaching and research. His scholarly work has attracted
over $20
million in external research and program funding. His research interests include heat
transfer,
electronic package cooling, and energy conservation, with numerous publications and
conference
presentations to his credit.
Beyond academia, Dr. Harris is a committed community advocate. He has worked extensively
with
youth, encouraging them to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields. He
firmly believes
that education is the key factor that distinguishes the “haves” from the “have nots.”
Dr. Harris earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University
of
Mississippi and holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Psychology
from the
University of Kansas. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval Aviation Officer School
and served as a
U.S. Naval Officer and Aviator.
Dr. Harris is actively involved in several professional organizations, including Advancing
Minorities
Interested in Engineering (AMIE), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE),
the Black
Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA), Women of Color in STEM, and the American Society
of
Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
Meet the Rest of Our Team
Learn how to contact the dedicated team serving Fowler School of Engineering.