Professor Andreas PolycarpouWilkins Professor Andreas A. Polycarpou, MechSE’s associate head of undergraduate programs, is one of five Illinois faculty members who have been named 2011-12 fellows of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation’s Academic Leadership Program.
Written by By William Bowman
Professor Andreas Polycarpou
Wilkins Professor Andreas A. Polycarpou, MechSE’s associate head of undergraduate programs, is one of five Illinois faculty members who have been named 2011-12 fellows of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation’s Academic Leadership Program.
Established in 1989, the program helps develop leadership and managerial skills of faculty members demonstrating exceptional ability and promise. Fellows are selected by CIC member institutions, which include the Big Ten universities and the University of Chicago.
“This is a way to help people learn about academic leadership skills,” Polycarpou said. “I’m looking forward to it, and I’m excited to learn more of these leadership skills.”
Once selected, fellows take part in a series of meetings held at three member institutions over the next year. Topics change annually but center on contemporary higher education issues that include diversity, engagement, faculty development, and institutional financial planning strategies.
Polycarpou’s research group studies micro/nanotribology of magnetic head disk interfaces and microelectromechanical systems. The group’s recent emphasis has been on the tribology of devices for reduced energy and improved environmental-related impact.
Polycarpou is the author of more than 120 journal papers, numerous book chapters, volume proceedings, patents and conference papers. He has won numerous national and international awards. He has chaired the ASME Tribology Division, is an associate editor of the ASME Journal of Tribology, serves on several editorial boards, and has organized numerous conferences.