New Dean Appointed for ASU’s College of Science and Engineering

SAN ANGELO, TX - Dr. Chih-Chien "Linus" Yu, previously a professor of mathematics and the associate vice provost for academic excellence at the Oregon Institute of Technology, has been appointed as the new dean of Angelo State University's College of Science and Engineering (COSE), effective April 1.

As the dean, Yu will plan, organize and direct the college's seven academic departments that offer over 30 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs. He will also oversee curriculum development and compliance with all relevant accreditation standards for the departments that include:

• Agriculture
• Biology
• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Physics and Geosciences
• David L. Hirschfeld Department of Engineering

Dr. Don Topliff, ASU provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced Yu's appointment.

"Dr. Yu brings a prestigious resume of accomplishment to Angleo State University," Topliff said. "His experience in a broad range of programs and leadership roles will be a huge asset to ASU. We are excited to have him on our team."

At the Oregon Institute of Technology since 2024, Yu also served as director of graduate studies and spearheaded efforts that led to a 45% increase in graduate student enrollment. He also led the implementation of OIT's first Program Review Policy, directed the development of a new Academic Master Plan, collaborated with faculty to revise the Course Evaluation Policy, enhanced the integration between on-campus and online education, and supported OIT's accreditation efforts through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Prior to his time at OIT, Yu spent 16 years at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, where he advanced from an assistant professor of mathematics to associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Along the way, he served as interim head of the Department of Biological Sciences, head of the Department of Mathematics, and associate dean for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. He also led the successful ABET re-accreditation for the engineering programs.

Over his career, Yu has also secured more than $1.5 million in grant funding for academic program development and student scholarships, built partnerships with K-12 schools to strengthen dual-credit pipelines, and advanced international collaborations for study abroad and student-exchange programs.

Yu holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in mathematics from Tamkang University in Taiwan and a Ph.D. in mathematics from State University of New York at Buffalo. He has also completed the Management Development Program at Harvard University.