ECE faculty recognized for advising, mentorship, and leadership development

The Grainger College of Engineering recognized five faculty members from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign this spring for their contributions to student success and faculty leadership. The honors included the Engineering Council Outstanding Advisor Award, the Stanley H. Pierce Faculty Award, and recognition for completing the Engineering Faculty Leadership Forum.

Three ECE faculty receive Outstanding Advisor Awards

Teaching Assistant Professor Nickvash Kani, Associate Professor Shaloo Rakheja, and Teaching Assistant Professor Abhishek Umrawal were among just 10 faculty and staff members across The Grainger College of Engineering to receive the 2026 Engineering Council Outstanding Advisor Award.

Presented annually by the Engineering Council, the award recognizes faculty and staff who have made exceptional contributions to undergraduate advising. Selected through student nominations, recipients are honored for their dedication to supporting students' academic, professional, and personal success.

Together, the three faculty members exemplify ECE's commitment to creating a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to grow both inside and outside the classroom.

Umrawal earns Stanley H. Pierce Faculty Award

In addition to the Outstanding Advisor Award, Abhishek Umrawal received the 2026 Stanley H. Pierce Faculty Award. Named in honor of former Associate Dean Stanley H. Pierce, the award celebrates faculty members who demonstrate sustained efforts to strengthen faculty-student relationships and improve cooperation between students and faculty. Umrawal received this honor on April 27, for his dedication to building connections with students and supporting their academic and professional development.

Two ECE faculty complete Engineering Faculty Leadership Forum

Professor Eric Chitambar and Professor Wenjuan Zhu were recognized for completing the Engineering Faculty Leadership Forum, a year-long professional development program that prepares faculty for leadership roles within the college and university.

The program brings together faculty from across Grainger Engineering to strengthen leadership skills, broaden institutional perspectives, and foster collaboration across departments. Participants engage in discussions and workshops focused on communication, strategic decision-making, and leading organizational change.

Their completion of the program reflects ECE's continued investment in developing faculty leaders who will help shape the future of the department, the college, and the engineering profession.

Together, these recognitions highlight ECE's dedication to excellence in advising, mentoring, teaching, and leadership. Whether supporting students through academic advising, fostering meaningful faculty-student relationships, or preparing for future leadership opportunities, ECE faculty continue to make a lasting impact across The Grainger College of Engineering.

Grainger Engineering Affiliations

Eric Chitambar is an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , Siebel School of Computing and Data Science, Department of Physics, and the Coordinated Science Laboratory.

Nickvash Kani is an Illinois Grainger Engineering teaching assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Coordinated Science Laboratory.

Shaloo Rakheja is the Intel Alumni Endowed Faculty Fellow and associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She is an associate professor in the Coordinated Science Laboratory and in the Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Laboratory. 

Abhishek Umrawal is an Illinois Grainger Engineering teaching assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Coordinated Science Laboratory, and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.

Wenjuan Zhu is an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, and in the Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Laboratory.