Clarkson University has named Hugo Irizarry-Quiñones associate dean of the Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering. He replaces Robert Kozik, who retired after 15 years in the position. Irizarry-Quiñones started July 1 and is based at the University’s Capital Region Campus (CRC) in Schenectady.
“I am really excited about the key responsibilities of this position in supporting the students, faculty, and University to continue the excellent work performed by Robert Kozik,” Irizarry-Quiñones said.
Irizarry-Quiñones will establish the strategic direction for growth and oversight of the Coulter School of Engineering on the Capital Region Campus; provide leadership to preserve the stimulating learning environment for students and rewarding atmosphere for faculty and staff; develop plans and processes to integrate CRC programs with those on the main campus; and continue ongoing efforts to maintain the CRC as the Capital Region institution of choice for professional education in engineering, engineering management, energy and the business of energy.
“This is an exciting time for our professional graduate programs in interdisciplinary engineering and we are delighted to have Dr. Irizarry-Quiñones working with our alumni network, corporate partners, faculty and staff to further strengthen our graduate offerings out of the Capital Region Campus,” said Graduate School Dean Kerop Janoyan.
Irizarry-Quiñones earned a bachelor of science degree in engineering mechanics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1989, shortly before joining the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP) to work on cracking evaluations of nuclear plant components. In 1994, he attained a master of science in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and, in 1999, he earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer with a concentration in experimental mechanics and mechanics of materials. He then returned to the NNPP to perform finite element model evaluations to resolve technical issues for heavy equipment nuclear plant components.
In 2004, Irizarry-Quiñones started providing project management support to develop and fabricate equipment for dry storage needs of NNPP spent fuel. In 2007, he joined Reactor Safety Engineering where, as an advisory engineer, he led the preparation and issuance of the Safety Analysis Report for the Navy’s latest nuclear plant training platform. In 2015, he became the manager of Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation’s (BMPC) Engineering Leadership Development Program, overseeing the training and development of selected BMPC high-potential employees. Over his 24 years of service in the NNPP, he was an active mentor to co-workers and fellow leaders.
Before this appointment, he was also an associate adjunct professor at Clarkson University, teaching fracture mechanics since 2016.
Irizarry-Quiñones and his wife, Sally, have been married for 20 years and they reside in Niskayuna.
Clarkson University educates the leaders of the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as an owner, CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. With its main campus located in Potsdam, New York, and additional graduate program and research facilities in the Capital Region and Beacon, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university with signature areas of academic excellence and research directed toward the world’s pressing issues. Through more than 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, education, sciences and the health professions, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations, and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo and connect discovery and innovation with enterprise.
