Mary Wells, dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS), has been named dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo.

“Mary is a respected academic leader and engineering scholar who has helped us raise the profile of engineering and physical sciences at U of G,” said Charlotte Yates, provost and vice-president (academic).

Yates commended Wells for her strategic leadership, for building relationships, and for attracting, engaging and retaining women in engineering.

“She has worked tirelessly to improve gender diversity in the profession by looking for ways to increase the participation of women,” Yates said.

“While we are sorry to see Mary return to Waterloo, we are excited for her. This is a prestigious appointment, reflecting positively on our University and on Mary’s accomplishments as our dean.”

Wells begins her new position July 1.

“I am very grateful to the faculty, staff and students who welcomed me to the University of Guelph,” she said.

“It has been a pleasure and an honour to serve alongside my associate deans, the chairs and directors in CEPS, and the staff in the dean’s office. Their passion, intellect and humour have made my time here fun, productive and meaningful.”

Before joining U of G in 2017, Wells was the associate dean of outreach for the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering from 2008 to 2017 and chaired its Women in Engineering committee for many years.

A respected materials engineer, she began her academic career as a professor in materials engineering at the University of British Columbia.

Wells chaired the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering from 2013 to 2018. Her outreach activities earned her the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Award for Science Promotion and the prestigious Support of Women in the Engineering Profession Award from Engineers Canada.