New dean’s mission: build on UHCL’s legacy of science and engineering

July 12, 2019 | Jim Townsend

University of Houston-Clear Lake’s new dean of the College of Science and Engineering says he believes a university should be the engine of innovation and technology-based economic development. “That’s what universities are supposed to be and do,” said Miguel A. Gonzalez. “We all have to do our jobs from that perspective.”

He noted the region’s economic opportunities in manufacturing and high-tech industries, particularly aerospace, energy, robotics and biotechnology. “There’s obviously a lot of growth, and much expectation for programs in science and engineering,” Gonzalez said. “We need to be strategic in doing the right things for the right reasons, and in partnering with the right partners. There’s already a lot of great things going on at UH-Clear Lake. We need to build upon that.”

Gonzalez, who has a long career in manufacturing-engineering education, started officially July 1, but settled into his new office in late June.

Prior to joining UH-Clear Lake, Gonzalez spent 20 years at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – and its legacy institution, The University of Texas - Pan American in Edinburg – first as an assistant professor and then director of UTPA’s manufacturing engineering program. Later, as the Valley continued broadening its economic base from primarily agriculture to include manufacturing, health care and high-tech industries, he became involved in several initiatives in the community including a role as director of the Rio Grande Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization. Through these activities, he fostered university partnerships with existing and developing industries — something he wants to do at UHCL.

He eventually became an endowed professor, dean of UTPA’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, and associate vice president for research at what has since become UT Rio Grande Valley after UTPA’s 2015 merger with UT-Brownsville.

“In the Valley, we were able to do a lot of things by partnering. It’s not just about supporting industry and the community. It’s about engaging faculty and deans from across the university. It’s about engaging students in those partnerships. At the end of the day, we are opportunity brokers.”

Gonzalez hopes to foster those sorts of opportunities at UHCL, by building upon activities already conducted here: science research, engineering projects, experiential learning, internships and job placements. “It’s about creating value – for industries and for students.”

Manufacturing is in Gonzalez’s DNA. Born in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, his family was in the business of citrus processing. Part of the family business involved Citro Mexico, which was one of Mexico’s largest processing operations. After receiving his bachelor’s and master’s in industrial engineering from University of Houston (1983 and 1985, respectively), he put his doctoral studies on hold to serve in various roles of the family business (1986–1994) rising to the position of Citro Mexico’s president and chief corporate executive officer. He left to pursue academics and received his doctorate in industrial engineering from UH in 1995. Before moving to the Valley, he taught industrial engineering at UH and at University of Memphis.

Gonzalez was selected from a nationwide search. “I look forward to working with Dr. Gonzalez to enhance the teaching, scholarship and service activities in the College of Science and Engineering,” said Steven J. Berberich, UHCL vice president for academic affairs and provost, noting the new dean’s expertise in advanced manufacturing systems, logistics and innovation management.

“It’s an honor to be at UHCL, and being back in the system where I got my education and start as an engineering educator. As a matter of fact, I took my GRE here at UHCL. Once accepted to grad school at UH, I started my journey from graduate assistant all the way up to visiting assistant professor. Coming back is very special to me.” he said. “I have a lot of friends in the community and I’m looking forward to meeting more, and being a partner in supporting their needs from a science-engineering-education perspective.”

UHCL’s College of Science and Engineering offers 23 bachelor’s degrees and 35 master’s degrees in programs that include biology, biotechnology, computing sciences, engineering, environmental science, mathematics and statistics, and physical and applied sciences.