Shaping the Future

Abhijit Bhattacharyya Joins the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing as New Dean

Abhijit Bhattacharyya, Ph.D, is serving as the new dean of Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing for Georgia Southern University. While he’s very happy to work with faculty and students, he’s especially excited about what’s next for his college.

“In 2026 alone, we have had 13 new faculty members join the college,” he said. “This builds on the incredible talent pool that we already have to serve a student population in the college that is touching almost 5,000.”

It’s a position that comes with a lot of responsibility, as his college helps prepare the next generation of workforce-ready alumni. Bhattacharyya says he’s looking forward to the challenge. 

“Even though I have only been here for two short months, I have met with some of the students who are already beginning to excel in their programs,” he said. “I have come away very impressed and proud. I am humbled to have the honor and privilege to serve as their dean.”

Bhattacharyya previously held leadership positions at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, including interim vice provost for research and dean of the graduate school, as well as associate dean of Engineering and Information Technology. 

Bhattacharyya earned a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Rutgers University, along with a master’s degree in applied mechanics. He is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and serves as an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) program evaluator. He began his career as a faculty member committed to teaching, research and service, principles he says will be prioritized across the college. 

“Although we are a large college, we need to make sure that the students know we are hearing them and listening to them,” he said. “Overall, they need to get the message that they are in a caring and nurturing environment. I will always work with my colleagues to ensure they have that.”

While his focus remains fixed in the present, his vision of what the college will become is never far away.

“There are a lot of technological changes that are happening in society,” he said. “While those changes can be a source of anxiety, I look forward with eager anticipation, positive energy and a lot of excitement. I consider it a blessing that the graduates from our college are very well positioned to be direct influencers of those changes.”

– Bradley Mullis