Provost's Newsletter Summer 2023 cont...

Meet the Dean: Houssam Toutanji, Ph.D., Engineering and Computer Science

What brought you to CSUN and how long have you been dean?

Honestly, CSUN stood out not only for its academic excellence and as a national model for institutions of higher education, but also for its genuine focus on student success, commitment to advancing equity and inclusive excellence, and how it provides service to the community. Being able to work alongside the dedicated faculty and staff here to create an engaging educational experience for students; along with watching those students go off to be the next generation of engineers and computer scientists are core ideals I hold close to my heart. I simply could not pass up the opportunity to bring my expertise and enthusiasm from my previous tenure as the dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Michigan University. Since I started in 2019, this passion and drive for continued educational success with our students has remained strong, making every moment in this role immensely satisfying and fulfilling.

What do you like most about your position?

As the dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, there is so much I love about my position. Working with these incredibly intelligent students and being a part of a dynamic academic community here at CSUN is truly inspiring. Witnessing everyone's enthusiasm for their work motivates me even more to innovate and strengthen our educational environments for both students and faculty alike. Making that positive difference in people's lives through education and research initiatives is massively rewarding, and seeing our students succeed and contribute to their fields is a constant reminder of the impact we can have on society.

Additionally, the work I do by forging partnerships with industry and governmental agencies opens up exciting opportunities for real-world contributions with our students, bridging the gap between academia and the outside world, plus keeping our programs relevant, accredited and impactful. I thoroughly enjoy seeing our students go off to work on their dream careers via these fantastic opportunities, and hearing of how CSUN helped them achieve their dreams.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Actually, there is a surprising aspect of my life that many may not be aware of—I hold a patent related to improving the properties of cementitious composites.

That patent involves a method to enhance the stress-strain characteristics, ductility, energy-absorbing capabilities, fractal roughness, and material roughness of cementitious mixes. By incorporating polyvinyl butyrate (PVB) as an additive, along with a reinforcing agent, the cementitious mix achieves superior performance levels. I am proud of the results of this work, and its future contributions to cement mixing properties.

But to add on, another side of me that people may find unexpected is that I am a competitive runner. Engaging in long-distance running has been a passion of mine for years, and I find joy and fulfillment in the physical and mental challenges that it presents.

Balancing the rigor of academic pursuits with my dedication to running has taught me valuable lessons in discipline, time management, and perseverance. Just as I strive for innovation and improvement in engineering, I apply the same determination to achieve personal growth and success as a marathon runner.

Also, people may be amused to know that my favorite color is pink! But just like the vibrant and dynamic nature of color, I believe that not everything is black and white, and we must bring energy and enthusiasm into the work we do, which in my case, is my leadership within the academic realm.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I believe that embracing diverse interests and experiences enriches not only our individual lives but also our academic community. As we strive for excellence in education and research here at CSUN, I will continue to be committed to fostering an inclusive environment where unique talents and passions can thrive.