Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce that Jason Peschel has accepted the role of interim director of the School and Design + Construction.
Currently an associate professor in the School of Design + Construction, Jason has more than 16 years of teaching experience in construction management courses at Washington State University and three years of teaching as an adjunct at Wayne State College.
Prior to working at WSU, Jason worked in the construction industry as a chief estimator and vice president. The company he worked for completed manufacturing, education, religious, banking, and residential projects in northeast Nebraska.
Jason is a recipient of the Reed Miller Excellence in Teaching Award and President’s Distinguished Teaching awards, as well as a five-time School of Design and Construction Outstanding Teaching award winner, which highlights his dedication as well as the esteem he has built amongst the students, staff, and faculty within the school. Peschel also served as the program head of construction management for the last nine years and holds the Richard L. Silliman Distinguished Professorship in Estimating.
Jason will begin his role on July 1.
I would like to thank everyone who participated in this process to identify new school leadership as we see Ryan Smith transitioning. The process included two important elements. First, we had great participation from the eligible faculty and nearly unanimous support for a search which includes opportunities for both internal and external candidates. This search process will begin soon with an expectation of having a director seated by August 2023.
Second, you gave thoughtful feedback and recommendations regarding who might serve as an effective interim director. I believe the process was inclusive, fair, and equitable for all participants. While several faculty members were nominated, Jason received broad and deep support and I’m very pleased that he’s willing to step into this role.
Lastly, I would like to think outgoing director Ryan Smith for all his hard work and dedication over the past few years and wish him all the best in his new role at the University of Arizona.
Please join me in welcoming Jason as interim director of the School of Design and Construction!
Mary Rezac
Dean, Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Washington State University
Email: mary.rezac@wsu.edu
Phone: 509-335-5593