Message from the Dean

Stella Batalama

Dear friends and colleagues, 

Welcome to the College of Engineering and Computer Science! We are a dynamic college, filled with innovation and boundless opportunities. In the fields of engineering and computer science, our collective efforts have an extraordinary impact on society. The work we do directly influences the way we live and interact, contributing significantly to the betterment of the human condition. 

Here are some highlights of our efforts over the past 5 years:

  • Top 3 fastest-rising Engineering Colleges in the U.S., 2020-22, U.S. News & World Report UG Rankings  
  • #92 among public institutions, 2025 U.S. News & World Report Graduate Rankings (ranked for the first time in 2024, directly to the top 99)
  • 190% growth in external research funding 
  • 171% growth in graduate student enrollment (Computer Science) 
  • 545% growth in student internships 
  • $6.8M in research training grants in Cybersecurity, AI, and Data Science (NSF Cybercorps, S-STEM/AI, NSF/NRT, respectively) 
  • NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) Smart Streetscapes (CS3) partners: Columbia (lead), Rutgers, UCF, Lehman College
  • Pioneered the first Master’s degree program in AI in Florida 

Our College of Engineering and Computer Science is at the forefront of multidisciplinary initiatives, having recently received a substantial gift from Florida Power and Light (FPL) to establish a center for smart energy technologies. This center fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration among faculty from various departments. Additionally, successful centers such as the Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence, the I-SENSE Research Pillar, the Center for Advanced Knowledge Enablement (CAKE), the NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center, the Freight Mobility Research Institute, the Center for Smart Health, the Fab Lab, and the SeaTech Institute showcase our commitment to diverse and impactful research. At the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic, research isn’t just a facet of who we are, it is a driving force that propels the institution forward. We strive to continue engineering a future where innovation and research converge to create solutions that address the challenges of our time.

Sincerely, 

Stella Batalama

Stella Batalama, Ph.D.
Dean