University of Utah Provost Mitzi M. Montoya announced that Charles Bruce Musgrave has accepted an offer to serve as dean of the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering. Musgrave is a professor of chemical and biochemical engineering and associate dean for graduate education over the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He will begin his new role on July 1, 2024.
While at the University of Colorado, Musgrave served as chair of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, with a joint appointment at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with the Department of Energy in Golden, Colo. He is a fellow of the Materials Science and Engineering Program and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute at the University of Colorado. Before his nearly 16 years in Colorado, Musgrave served as an assistant professor of chemical engineering at Stanford University, and as a visiting professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. He was a collaborator with Intel Corporation, SC Solutions Corporation, General Motors Corporation and Xerox Corporation, among others. Along with his notable achievements, Musgrave brings a unique perspective to his leadership role as a first-generation student and son of an immigrant.
Charles Bruce Musgrave, Dean of Engineering
“The John and Marcia Price College of Engineering has a rich heritage of making history through its innovative research by forging paths into the unknown and inventing the future,” Montoya said. “I am excited to work with Dr. Musgrave as he leads this prestigious college in teaching our next generation of engineers and problem-solvers who will impact our world for the better.”
Musgrave was selected after an extensive national search, which was chaired by Peter Trapa, dean of the College of Science and College of Mines and Earth Sciences, and Kevin Whitty, associate dean of the Price College of Engineering. Provost Montoya thanks them, the search committee and members of the University community who participated in the search for their dedication and diligence throughout the selection process.
Musgrave will lead the Price College of Engineering in its mission to prepare students to be leaders in academia, industry and government; improve the health, safety and enjoyment of human life through research; and stimulate and grow the economy by providing qualified professionals and transferring technologies to the private sector. The College is among the top 40 engineering colleges in the country for research productivity and aims to continue its rapidly growing contributions to research and innovation.
“I’ve always been captivated by the challenge of anticipating technological trends and the need to align research and education with the ever-changing technology landscape,” Musgrave said. “I am thrilled to lead the Price College of Engineering as it defines the forefront of emerging technologies while proactively engaging the University’s and community’s extraordinary talent in identifying new opportunities and fostering an environment that prepares our students to thrive in a future of accelerating innovation.”
After serving as dean of the Price College of Engineering since 2004, Richard Brown is the longest-serving dean at the University of Utah. Under his leadership, the college more than tripled its enrollment and received multiple financial gifts, including a $50 million naming gift from the John and Marcia Price Foundation to support future growth and student success. Since 2006, the college has filed 1,172 invention disclosures, 372 patents and launched 99 companies from research. After he finishes his term in June, he is looking forward to a well-deserved administrator leave.
“Dean Brown has been a stalwart and impactful leader at the U, and in the field of engineering,” Montoya said. “I am grateful for the lasting legacy of all of his contributions to this campus.”