Ashfaq Khokhar named dean of K-State’s Carl R. Ice College of Engineering
Following a national search, the Office of the Provost has appointed Ashfaq Khokhar as dean of Kansas State University’s Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, effective Aug. 2.
“Dr. Khokhar brings exceptional leadership experience, growth-minded vision and high-quality teaching, research and engagement to K-State in the role of dean for the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering,” said Jesse Perez Mendez, provost and executive vice president. “I look forward to working with him to advance the college and university’s strategic vision.”
As the chief academic and administrative officer for the college, and LeRoy C. and Aileen H. Paslay Chair in Engineering, Khokhar will provide leadership, strategic vision and direction for the college, and support and promote the academic mission of the university. Khokhar will work to grow the college’s excellence in teaching, research, service, extension and engagement; promote a collaborative leadership approach; and cultivate internal and external partnerships to advance the university’s Next-Gen K-State strategic plan.
“I am honored to join Kansas State University at a moment when engineering must lead humanity’s next great advances,” Khokhar said. “The Next-Gen K-State strategic plan and land-grant mission challenge us not simply to innovate, but to translate discovery into solutions that reshape industries, strengthen communities and expand prosperity from Kansas to the world. Together, we will pursue bold ideas, build boundary-spanning partnerships and educate engineers who are prepared not just to meet the future — but to define it.”
Since 2017, Khokhar has served as the Palmer Department Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University. During his tenure, he oversaw an increase in the department’s research expenditures from $13.2 million in 2016 to $19 million in 2024 and more than $20 million new research projects funded in 2024; the development and launch of several new undergraduate and graduate degree programs; and he spearheaded the development of a five-year strategic plan, among many other accomplishments. As a principal investigator or co- principal investigator, Khokhar has received more than $16 million in research funding and has mentored the research of more than 100 graduate and undergraduate students.
Prior to his tenure at Iowa State, Khokhar served as professor and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology from 2013-2016 and director of graduate studies for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois from 2012-2013.
Khokhar has been named a fellow of IEEE and the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association; served as president, vice president and treasurer of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association; and received an NSF CAREER Award. His publications include 92 journal articles, 214 conference proceedings, nine book chapters and four edited volumes — receiving more than 7,300 citations and an H-Index of 44, as per Google Scholar.
He received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan, his master’s degree in computer engineering from Syracuse University and his doctorate in computer engineering from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.