I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Dr. David Hagan as the dean of the College of Optics and Photonics, effective immediately.
Dr. Hagan is a distinguished Pegasus professor who has served as the college’s interim dean since December 2019 and was previously an associate dean for academic programs. Dr. Hagan joined UCF in 1987 and is a founding faculty member of CREOL, UCF’s renowned Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers. He has been instrumental in CREOL becoming internationally known for its innovation and excellence in research and academics.
As dean, Dr. Hagan will provide vision and guidance that are integral to UCF’s advancement as a major metropolitan research university of inclusive excellence and global impact. He will direct efforts to advance the world-class excellence of the College of Optics and Photonics in optics, lasers, and photonics, particularly in research, education, and industry partnerships.
Dr. Hagan has been a major influence in shaping curriculum in the college and is highly accomplished in teaching and research. Aside from being a Pegasus Professor, which is the highest distinction a faculty member can earn at UCF, Hagan’s honors include being an International Society for Optics and Photonic Fellow, an Optical Society of America Fellow, and a senior member of the IEEE Photonics Society.
I am grateful to the work of the search committee – led by Michael Georgiopoulos, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science – for its intensive efforts to identify and evaluate an outstanding leader for the College of Optics and Photonics.
Please join me in wishing Dean Hagan much success in his new role.
