EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has named their next leader for the Aerospace Center.
Shery Welsh is to start her new position as executive director on Monday, July 15, replacing, Acting Head Dr. Kenneth Meissner, dean of the College of Engineering, according to a news release sent by UTEP.
“Dr. Welsh is a national aerospace leader who will take UTEP to the next level,” said President Heather Wilson. “Her decades of experience in engineering leadership will help the Aerospace Center reach its full potential in serving the aerospace sector and driving economic development in our region.”
Welsh was previously the Director of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in Arlington, Virginia and worked on various aerospace programs for the Department of Defense, according to UTEP.
Welsh has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Wright State University. She also has a Ph.D. in Materials Sciences from the University of Alabama.
“I am very excited to join the faculty and staff at UTEP,” Welsh said. “Together we will realize the Center’s full potential to advance aerospace research and engineering and build the aerospace industry into a significant driver of El Paso’s economy.”
This news comes after the suspension of a $15 million grant from the National Science Foundation and removal of prior executive director, Dr. Ahsan Choudhuri.
After the removal of Choudhuri, many El Paso leaders, such as Mayor Oscar Lesser and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar expressed their concerns regarding UTEP president’s actions impacting the Aerospace Center.
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