New dean, Dr. Phil Lewis, outlines goals for the college

Dr. Phil Lewis became dean of the East Carolina University College of Engineering and Technology on July 1.

A native of Franklin County who grew up in Zebulon, Lewis obtained bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from N.C. State. He worked 14 years in the construction and engineering industries and then transitioned to higher education, working at N.C. State, Oklahoma State and more recently at Texas A&M University, where he served as a professor and head of the Department of Construction Science in the College of Architecture.

As he welcomed faculty, staff and students for the fall semester, we asked Lewis some questions about his plans as he leads the college into the 2026-27 academic year.

Q: Why did you decide to come to ECU and the College of Engineering and Technology?

Dr. Phil Lewis welcomes guests to the College of Engineering and Technology during a signing ceremony on Aug. 24. (Photo by Steven Mantilla)

Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to institutions that combine academic excellence with a strong commitment to serving their communities. East Carolina University stands out because of its “Future Focused, Innovation Driven” mission, its impact across eastern North Carolina and beyond, and its dedication to transforming lives through teaching, research and service.

What particularly attracted me to the College of Engineering and Technology is its tremendous potential. The college has outstanding faculty, dedicated staff, strong industry connections and students who are eager to make a difference through engineering and technology. I saw an opportunity to contribute to an institution that is preparing the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers and leaders while helping drive economic development throughout eastern North Carolina and beyond.

Ultimately, this was an excellent opportunity for me both professionally and personally. It gave me the chance to advance my career and come home to be near my family.

Q: What are your goals as dean of the college?

My vision is for the College of Engineering and Technology to be recognized as a leader in student success, workforce development, innovation and industry engagement.

We will continue strengthening our academic programs, expanding experiential learning opportunities, growing research and scholarship, and deepening partnerships with business and industry. I also believe we have an opportunity to lead in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and advanced technologies while maintaining a strong focus on the foundational engineering and technology disciplines that are essential to our nation’s economy.

Most importantly, I want every student who graduates from our college to leave ECU prepared not only for their first job but for a lifetime of learning, leadership and impact.

Q: What do you see as the college’s strengths?

The greatest strength of the college is its people. We have talented faculty and staff who are deeply committed to our students and who bring both academic expertise and industry experience into the classroom.

Another significant strength is our practical, hands-on approach to education. Engineering, construction and technology are applied disciplines, and our students benefit from experiences that connect theory to practice through laboratories, design projects, internships, research and industry partnerships.

The college is also uniquely positioned to support state and national workforce needs while creating opportunities for economic growth throughout eastern North Carolina and beyond.

Q: What is your message to students in the college?

Engineering and technology professionals will be required to solve society’s most important challenges. Whether you are building infrastructure, advancing manufacturing, improving healthcare technologies, securing information systems or developing new solutions through artificial intelligence, your work has the potential to improve society.

My advice is simple: take advantage of every opportunity available to you. Engage with your professors, participate in student organizations, seek internships, pursue research opportunities and challenge yourself to grow both professionally and personally. Success does not come with comfort. Be curious, be resilient and remain committed to lifelong learning.

Dr. Phil Lewis, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, speaks to a faculty member during a fall semester meeting. (Photo by Ken Buday)

Q: What excites you about being dean of the college?

What excites me most is the opportunity to help lead innovative activities and have a positive impact on the future. The College of Engineering and Technology has the privilege and responsibility of developing future builders, engineers, technologists and leaders who will make significant contributions to eastern North Carolina and beyond.

I am also energized by the pace of technological innovation and its impact on our future. We are living in a time when innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, automation, advanced manufacturing, construction, data analytics and digital technologies are transforming every industry and all aspects of life. The College of Engineering and Technology is well positioned to help students and industry partners navigate those changes and seize new opportunities.

Q: Can you tell us about your family?

I am a native of Franklin County, so I was very excited to return to eastern North Carolina. All my family lives between Raleigh and Rocky Mount. It is nice to be so close to them after having spent the last 16 years in Oklahoma and Texas.

My wife Heather is a mechanical engineer with degrees from Penn State University and N.C. State University. She also worked at Oklahoma State University and Texas A&M University while we were there. Although she has followed me around in my academic career, she has won most of the awards, twice winning the top teacher award in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M. Heather is looking forward to engaging with the ECU community.

My daughter Rachel and her husband Mason Cooper, along with their son Wells, live in Clayton. They are expecting twin boys in February. My daughter Abigail is a senior in high school. She is one of the most resilient and fearless people I know. My son Robert is a freshman in high school. He is a budding left-handed baseball pitcher and future American League Cy Young Award winner.

Q: What do you like to do when not working?

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and following sports. I am a self-professed baseball junkie with an enormous collection of baseball hats, but please do not ask my wife about that. I enjoy staying engaged in the engineering and construction professions and finding opportunities to continue learning. I love reading books on leadership, special interest topics and yes, baseball.

Q: Do you have any final thoughts?

I am honored by the opportunity to serve as dean of ECU’s College of Engineering and Technology. The college has a strong foundation, a talented community and a bright future. As we move forward, my focus will be on building upon the college’s strengths, supporting our students and faculty, expanding partnerships and ensuring that we continue delivering exceptional value to the region and the state. I am excited to work alongside our faculty, staff, students, alumni and industry partners as we write the next chapter in the college’s history.