![Photo of Dr. John Hurtado and text with this new titles, interim vice chancellor for The Texas A&M University System, interim dean of engineering at Texas A&M University and interim agency director of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station. Effective June 1.](_news-images/TEES-news-Hurtado-interimdean-hero-20May2021.jpg)
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has named Dr. John Hurtado interim vice chancellor and dean of the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University and interim agency director of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES). He will assume the duties of the position June 1.
Hurtado will oversee administration of the college and agency while a national search is conducted to fill the positions. Hurtado joined the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M in 2001 and serves as deputy director and chief technology officer for the Bush Combat Development Complex and professor of aerospace engineering.
His research areas include aerospace systems and robotics, and his work is being used at NASA and Sandia National Laboratories. His patented algorithms were developed for unique miniature robots that the Smithsonian Institution recently obtained for its permanent collection in the National Museum of American History.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from San Diego State University, and his master’s and doctorate in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M.
Hurtado replaces outgoing vice chancellor of engineering and national laboratories, dean of the Texas A&M College of Engineering and agency director for TEES Dr. M. Katherine Banks, who was named to these positions in 2011 and was appointed the 26th president of Texas A&M in March.