GOLDEN, Colo., Dec. 5, 2013 – Dr. Priscilla Nelson will join Colorado School of Mines on Jan. 6, 2014, as the new head of the Mining Engineering Department.

Nelson comes from the New Jersey Institute of Technology where she was professor of civil and environmental engineering following a term as provost at that institution. Formerly, she was a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. She also spent 11 years at the National Science Foundation where she served as senior advisor to the director of that organization.

Nelson is a distinguished member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), former president of the Geo-Institute of ASCE, and was the first president of the American Rock Mechanics Association. She is an active member of the Underground Construction Association of the Society of Mining Engineers, and has developed expertise in geological engineering, underground construction and rock mechanics. She is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has served chair of the Division of Engineering in AAAS. 

Dr. Hugh Miller has served as interim department head for the past few years and is excited to redirect all of his energy and talent to teaching, research and continued service. 

Contact:

Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations, Colorado School of Mines / 303-273-3541 / kgilbert@mines.edu
Kathleen Morton, Communications Coordinator, Colorado School of Mines / 303-273-3088 / kmorton@mines.edu