Jennifer Truman Bernhard has been appointed as the new Department Head of Electrical and Computer Engineering in The Grainger College of Engineering, effective August 16, 2024. A Donald Biggar Willett Professor in the ECE Department, Bernhard joined the ECE faculty in 1999 and has been an integral member of the faculty and College leadership, with an exceptional record of excellence in research, teaching and service in the department, college and campus.
A Donald Biggar Willett Professor in the ECE Department, Bernhard joined the ECE faculty in 1999 and has been an integral member of the faculty and College leadership, with an exceptional record of excellence in research, teaching and service in the department, college and campus. She is the first woman to hold the position of Department Head in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
She served as the Associate Dean for Research from 2012-2019, during which time she was responsible for strategic planning and stewardship of the College’s research enterprise, instituting several signature programs that continue to propel the College’s research endeavors. Since 2019, she has been Director of the Applied Research Institute (ARI), establishing an innovative model that supports applied research and development activities with external customers and campus collaborators. Over her 25 years on campus, Bernhard has supported professional development across the department and College, including as Director of the Engineering Faculty Leadership Forum since 2015.
In addition to her significant administrative experience, Bernhard is an internationally renowned expert in antennas and applied electromagnetics. She is an IEEE Fellow and has received awards for her research, education, and leadership contributions. She served as the President of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society and as an elected member of the IEEE Board of Directors and the ASEE Engineering Research Council Executive Board. Her expertise has led to external positions where she provides technical advice and guidance, including service on the US DoD Defense Science Board.
Bernhard states, “One of my priorities over the coming years will be to amplify the visibility and impact of our department, distinguishing us not only as research innovators but also as the thought leaders driving the evolution of the profession.”
Bernhard is committed to building supportive and inclusive communities. Of 72 past and current graduate students, more than one-third are members of underrepresented groups in engineering, including 16 of 32 PhDs, going on to careers in academia, industry, and government. She notes, “ECE has a strong tradition of excellence and innovation in education. Building on this foundation by fostering an exciting, inclusive climate for our students will truly transform our profession and the world.”
Dean of The Grainger College of Engineering Rashid Bashir comments: “Professor Bernhard fully understands the current strengths and opportunities for the ECE department and our collaborative ecosystem across the college and campus, and we look forward to working with her to expand, deepen and diversify our research and educational enterprise.”