S.K. Ramesh

CSUN professor of electrical and computer engineering S.K. Ramesh has been elected to serve as the 2021-22 president-elect of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET), the global nonprofit organization that accredits associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the areas of applied and natural sciences, computing, engineering and engineering technology.

In this role, Ramesh will lead the organization of more than 2,200 ABET program evaluators, board members, commissioners and advisors. His term as president-elect begins on Oct. 31 this year, before transitioning to president on Nov. 1, 2022.

“I am deeply humbled and excited to serve ABET in this new role. It means a lot, especially coming from peers and colleagues whom I respect greatly,” Ramesh said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with our dedicated volunteers and staff to serve ABET’s diverse tapestry of member societies and our profession in the exciting times ahead.”

Ramesh is the director and lead principal investigator of the Attract, Inspire, Mentor and Support Students (AIMS2) program, led by CSUN’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, in partnership with Glendale Community College, College of the Canyons, Pierce College, Moorpark College and Los Angeles Mission College. The AIMS2 program, which is supported by a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Hispanic-serving institutions STEM program, was established in 2011 to improve the retention and academic performance of Hispanic students in engineering and computer science. In 2019, it was nationally recognized as the Example of Excelencia in baccalaureate programs by Excelencia in Education, the only nationwide effort to recognize evidence-based higher education programs that advance Latinx students.

Ramesh served as dean of CSUN’s College of Engineering and Computer Science from 2006-17, and he helped develop CSUN’s master’s degree program in assistive technology engineering, where students design products made for persons with disabilities.

“S. K. Ramesh has been a longtime ABET supporter, from volunteering as a program evaluator, to serving as a member of our Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory council, to providing guidance as the Engineering Area Delegation Director,” said ABET Executive Director and CEO Michael K. J. Milligan. “I look forward to his continued leadership as the 2021-22 ABET President-Elect, and I’m confident his vision and contributions will have a meaningful impact on the future of STEM education.”

Previously, Ramesh served ABET as a program evaluator representing the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and on the ABET board of directors as the chair of the engineering area delegation, where he represented 32 member societies.

ABET accredits more than 4,300 programs worldwide. Programs reviewed for accreditation need to demonstrate that they meet ABET’s quality standards for producing graduates that are equipped to “enter a global workforce.” Developed by technical professionals from ABET’s member societies, ABET accreditation criteria focus on what students experience and learn. Sought worldwide, ABET’s voluntary peer-review process is highly respected as it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision and safety are of utmost importance.

During the past year, ABET completed its most recent accreditation visit cycle entirely virtually. “That’s almost 900 programs worldwide. It is a great testament to the innovation and teamwork by ABET volunteers, staff and the programs, for the ways in which we adapted to overcome the challenges,” Ramesh said.

AIMS2, College of Engineering and Computer Science, SK Ramesh