Kevin Burke named Associate Dean for Student Affairs

By Marcene Robinson

He follows the influential leadership of Christine Human, professor of teaching in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, who retires this year after more than 20 years as a University at Buffalo faculty member and 10 years of service as associate dean for student affairs and accreditation.

In his new role, Burke will oversee student scholarships, events and activities within SEAS, including the Pledge to Professionalism and commencement.

“I am confident that our school and our students will thrive and achieve continued success under the leadership of Professor Burke. He brings a steadfast commitment to academic excellence and a wealth of experience in fostering growth and a sense of purpose amongst future engineers,” says Kemper Lewis, SEAS dean and professor.

“I thank Professor Human for her outstanding service to the university,” says Lewis. “Throughout her career, she has inspired, mentored, and supported countless students, and has demonstrated exemplary leadership in both SEAS and at UB. Her work is the embodiment of excellence in service to our students.”

SEAS has launched a search for a director of accreditation and assessment to lead accreditation and assessment processes.

Burke, also co-director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Electrical Engineering, joined UB in 2004. His research and academic interests include insulation systems, energy and power management, partial discharge analysis, robotics, the use of non-thermal plasma on cancer cells, and engineering education.

A member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Burke has co-authored numerous publications for IEEE refereed conference and journal publications. He has also contributed as senior personnel on efforts funded by the Department of Defense, Imperial Machine and Tool Co., National Grid and more.

Burke volunteers his time with numerous student advocacy and education organizations and initiatives, including Tech Savvy, founded by the American Association of University Women Buffalo Branch; Buffalo Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM); the UB National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter and New York Space Grant STEM Fair; and the National Grid STEM Mentoring Program, offered to Westminster Community Charter School students through a partnership with SEAS. He has also served as an advisor and mentor to the IEEE UB Student Chapter, UB Robotics, and UB Space Bulls Robo-Ops Team.

Prof. Burke’s strong commitment to teaching, student support and advocacy, and community engagement has been recognized by awards such as the 2017 SEAS Best Teaching Faculty of the Year Award, 2014 Milton Plesur Excellence in Teaching Award from the UB Student Association, the 2014 UB Engineering Student Supporter of the Year, 2012 Outstanding Faculty Research Mentor Award from the UB Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) program, BEAM Research Mentor of the Year, and the Teacher of the Year Award from the New York Nu Chapter of Tau Beta Pi at UB.

“I am honored to be the next advocate and vessel to provide support and resources to help students reach their maximum potential,” says Burke, who also is the deputy director of the UB Energy Systems Integration laboratory. “My goal is to lead with a holistic view and a people-first mantra, rounding out the student experience both inside and outside the classroom.”

Burke earned a doctorate, master’s degree and bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from UB. 

Human completes her career with over 20 years of service in SEAS and more than 40 years of experience in higher education and industry.

As associate dean for student affairs and accreditation, she directed student scholarships, clubs, events, and course evaluations, as well as led the school through its accreditation activities and processes for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In 2020, she guided SEAS through its most successful ABET accreditation. She currently serves as the chair of the University Accreditation Council.

As a faculty member, Human has mentored and instructed countless students in mechanics and foundation engineering. A passionate educator, she served as the director of undergraduate studies for the Civil Engineering Program from 2011-14, and again from 2018-20, and has been the academic advisor for the department’s Dual Diploma Program with Istanbul Technical University for the past 13 years, a program which welcomes a cohort of students from Turkey each year to receive half of their undergraduate education at UB.

Human has received the Outstanding Contributions to International Education Award at UB in 2018, and the 2015 Educator of the Year award from the Erie Niagara Chapter of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers.

Prior to joining UB, Human worked as an adjunct professor at the Polytechnic University in Brooklyn—now the New York University Tandon School of Engineering— and as an engineer at Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers in New York; Dar Al-Handasah Consultants in Lebanon; and Atkins and Soil Mechanics Ltd., both in the United Kingdom.

She earned a doctorate and master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Manchester.