Andrew Houck Appointed Dean of Princeton University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science
Princeton, NJ — Andrew Houck, a distinguished professor and national leader in quantum science and engineering, has been named the next dean of Princeton University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, effective August 1, 2025. Houck succeeds Andrea Goldsmith, who is stepping down to become president of Stony Brook University.
A Visionary Leader in Quantum Technology
Houck is the Anthony H.P. Lee ’79 Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and co-directs the Princeton Quantum Initiative. He also leads a federally funded national quantum research center, positioning him at the forefront of quantum technology development in the United States.
President Christopher L. Eisgruber expressed enthusiasm about the appointment: “He has excelled at Princeton as a decorated student, beloved teacher, and team-building researcher. Andrew understands the soul of the School, and he has the exceptional vision and skills required to lead it forward at a time of both turbulence and opportunity.”
Academic and Professional Journey
Houck graduated as valedictorian of Princeton’s undergraduate class of 2000. He then earned his Ph.D. in physics at Harvard University before conducting research in a leading quantum physics laboratory at Yale University. Since joining Princeton’s faculty in 2008, Houck has been instrumental in advancing a promising approach to building a quantum computer. His expertise has been sought after widely across industry and government sectors, helping shape effective strategies in quantum technology.
Commitment to Education and Innovation
In addition to his research achievements, Houck is highly regarded for his teaching and mentorship. He has led educational initiatives such as developing Princeton’s first-year engineering curriculum, which successfully improved student retention and engagement in engineering disciplines.
Provost Jennifer Rexford praised Houck’s multifaceted talents: “He is a fantastic scholar, an innovative and devoted educator, and a seasoned leader of interdisciplinary research. He will be an exceptional dean of engineering at an important time for the School, the University, and our country.”
Future Priorities as Dean
As he prepares to take on his new role, Houck acknowledges the legacy of Dean Andrea Goldsmith, under whose leadership the School of Engineering and Applied Science experienced significant growth. This includes the addition of approximately 40 new faculty members, new interdisciplinary initiatives, expansions in bioengineering, artificial intelligence, and quantum engineering, as well as upcoming new buildings.
Houck emphasized his commitment to fostering innovation beyond current technological trends. “A priority will be to listen to those new faculty and support emerging ideas so that we’re not just riding the current amazing technological wave in quantum, AI, and bioengineering, but also seeding and nurturing whatever is next on the horizon.”
He highlighted Princeton’s unique position as an institution small enough to encourage faculty and student collaboration across disciplines but large enough to cultivate critical expertise clusters. “With the right support, suddenly this cluster of three, four, five people could explode into the next big thing,” Houck said.
Building Trust and Upholding Core Values
Houck also underscored the importance of academic leadership in strengthening trust across society, especially as the relationship between industry, academia, and government—critical for national economic success and security—feels strained.
“We need leaders to stand up and work to strengthen that relationship while preserving our core values,” he said, emphasizing non-negotiable commitments to excellence in teaching and research.
Promoting Inclusiveness and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Houck is dedicated to making engineering accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. “Having different perspectives on research problems can really shake you out of some particular way of thinking and push you to the next new idea,” he noted.
He also pointed to Princeton’s culture of interdisciplinary collaboration across science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences as essential, particularly in an era where technology profoundly influences societal dynamics.
Reflecting on Long-Term Leadership
Houck drew inspiration from his 2000 valedictory address, where he likened nurturing students to tending young trees that will provide shade for future generations. He sees his role similarly: “The job of a dean and a senior leader is to think on time scales of decades and centuries, to tend the trees planted by generations before, and to plant just a couple of my own.”
As he takes the helm at Princeton’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, Houck is poised to lead with vision, inclusiveness, and a commitment to advancing both the legacy and future innovations in engineering and applied sciences.
For more information about Princeton’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, visit Princeton Engineering.
Contact:
Office of Engineering Communications
Princeton University
Email: engineeringcomm@princeton.edu
Phone: (609) 258-XXXX
Photo: Andrew Houck
Photo credit: Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications, Princeton University