College of Engineering and Engineering Technology Dean's Welcome
Welcome from Dave Grewell, dean of the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.
Welcome to NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET), where research, innovation and student and faculty success combine to make a positive impact on our region and world. I am honored to serve as dean and invite you to explore our college.
Growing up on a small family farm in Ohio, I learned the importance of a strong work ethic, perseverance, community and cherishing every opportunity that life presents. Thanks to mentors, teachers, scholarships and pure luck, I was fortunate enough to pursue my passions for science and engineering.
Similarly, NIU faculty members are helping thousands of students pursue their dreams. My own life’s journey convinced me that education should be accessible to all, regardless of financial status. NIU is leading the way nationally in efforts to remove barriers to a high-quality college education through programs such as test-free admissions and merit scholarship processes, the Rockford Promise at NIU and the Huskie Pledge program.
Our engineering faculty members deliver hands-on learning, cutting-edge research and real-world experiences that prepare our students to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. NIU is one of only three Illinois public universities classified by Carnegie as a “High Research Activity” institution, also known as an R2 university. NIU contributes to the discovery of new knowledge, involves undergraduates in research laboratories and has an emphasis that is evenly distributed between teaching and research.
This balanced approach enhances educational outcomes by providing enriched learning experiences where students can engage directly with research. Consequently, our graduates are highly sought after. In fact, recent graduates of our programs—those who have graduated in the last five years—earn on average more than $77,000 annually. Mid-career alumni are earning on average more than $100,000 yearly.
We provide excellent facilities, including more than 40 laboratories for both research and student learning. In fact, we’re one of the few R2 universities nationwide with a cleanroom—an engineered laboratory that maintains extremely low concentrations of airborne particulates such as dust. These laboratories are needed for research and semiconductor production.
Our cleanroom is currently undergoing a $1.5 million modernization, with a targeted completion in late-2025. The new Microelectronic Research and Development Lab (MRDL) will allow faculty and students to focus on three areas of direct relevance to the U.S. economy and national security: microelectronic devices, microelectromechanical systems and chemical/biological sensors. The lab also will support the needs of local industries through workforce development, training and research. Additionally, it will serve as a valuable resource for high-tech industry start-ups to prototype and test their designs.
We take immense pride in our Huskies, whose diversity and creativity shine through in so many ways, including projects that range from innovative renewable energy solutions to breakthrough medical technologies. I invite you to learn more about NIU’s engineering college—where we’re helping our partners and students reach their full potential to help change our world for the better.
Dave Grewell
Dean, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET)
Contact Us
College of Engineering and Engineering TechnologyEngineering Building
590 Garden Rd, DeKalb, IL
815-753-2256
ceet@niu.edu