WSU-2012-Miertschin-Charla.jpgCharla Miertschin has been appointed dean of the Winona State University College of Science and Engineering.

Miertschin has served in the role of interim dean of the College of Science and Engineering since July 2012. She began her career at Winona State in 1993 and served as chairperson for the chemistry department from 2004-2012. Prior to coming to WSU, Miertschin was a postdoctoral research fellow with professor Michael P. Doyle at Trinity University, and a teaching assistant and research fellow at Texas A&M University. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Abilene Christian University and her Ph.D. in chemistry from Texas A&M University.

“This was a tough competition, with well qualified candidates from national and international locations. Based on the strength of the positive campus-wide response, Dr. Miertschin easily rose to the top of the list,” said Patricia Rogers, WSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “I am delighted to continue working with Dr. Miertschin as we join our faculty and staff colleagues to move WSU and WSU-R to new levels of excellence. A strong, well respected Dean in the College of Science & Engineering is vital to the success of Winona State in any of its locations. Dr. Miertschin is the right person for the job!”

Said Miertschin, “I look forward to continuing to lead the College of Science & Engineering. Getting to know our faculty and students better during my two years as interim dean has only reaffirmed how proud I am to be part of a college with so many great attributes.”

The WSU College of Science and Engineering is comprised of seven departments: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geoscience, Math and Statistics, and Physics.

The College of Science and Engineering is committed to furthering 21st Century advances in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by inspiring the next generation of innovators and teachers and by promoting research and scholarship across STEM disciplines. Through a broad range of major, minor, and pre-professional programs, as well as through basic skills, interdisciplinary, and research-rich learning environments, the college endeavors to ensure the success of all students.

For more information, call the WSU Communications Office at 507-457-5024.