The Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering would like to extend our congratulations to Dr. LouAnne Boyd for her recent appointment of Dr. LouAnne Boyd as Assistant Dean.

In this role, Dr. Boyd will work closely with the Fowler School of Engineering leadership team to advance the Fowler School of Engineering’s strategic priorities, support faculty development and mentoring initiatives, coordinate accreditation and assessment activities, and promote teaching excellence, curriculum innovation, and student success. She will also serve as a liaison between faculty and administration while helping lead special projects to support the continued growth and visibility of the Fowler School of Engineering.

“Her dedication to continuous improvement, accreditation excellence, and faculty engagement has already made a significant impact on the Fowler Engineering community, and I am confident she will excel in this expanded leadership role,” shared Interim Dean Kendall T. Harris.

Dr. Boyd’s Chapman University Journey

Dr. Boyd joined Chapman University in August 2018 when the engineering school was in its preliminary stages. As one of the school’s founding faculty members, she joined an ambitious community dedicated to building an engineering program centered on innovation, collaboration, and student success.

Her work has included mentoring undergraduate and graduate researchers, developing innovative educational experiences, and creating opportunities for students to engage in meaningful scholarship and professional growth.

Under Boyd’s mentorship, students have presented their work at conferences, completed thesis projects, and pursued careers and graduate studies after graduation. Her mentorship philosophy emphasizes curiosity, collaboration, and helping students develop confidence in their abilities as engineers, researchers, and leaders.

From Research Mentorship to Assistant Dean

Her research spans human-computer interaction, accessibility, neurodiversity, teamwork, and inclusive design. She has worked alongside students to explore how technology can better support human well-being and create more equitable experiences for diverse populations.

Dr. Boyd with student researchers

Dr. Boyd dedicates her time to mentor undergraduate student researchers in human-computer interaction, accessibility, neurodiversity, teamwork, and inclusive design.

“Research has always been one of the most rewarding parts of my career,” Boyd said. “In this new role, I hope to help create even more opportunities for students to participate in scholarship, innovation, and creative activity across Fowler Engineering.”

In addition to her academic work, Boyd recently contributed a chapter titled “Wholeness in Motion: Leading Through Uncertainty” to the international leadership anthology EmpowHer: Real Stories, Bold Voices, Global Impact, which became an Amazon bestseller.

As Assistant Dean, Boyd hopes to build upon the strengths that have defined Fowler’s growth while helping create systems and opportunities that support students, faculty, and staff across the school.

“My hope is that Fowler continues to be a place where people feel connected, supported, and empowered to do their best work,” Boyd said. “We have an extraordinary community, and I’m excited to help strengthen the foundations that allow our students and programs to thrive.

Boyd sees her new role as an opportunity to help scale the values that have guided her work since arriving at Chapman: student success, continuous improvement, meaningful collaboration, and a commitment to building a community where everyone can thrive.

To learn more about Dr. LouAnne Boyd’s research, please visit Dr. Boyd’s faculty bio page and our article sharing her innovative research expanding neurodiversity research.