The Mechanical Engineering Department at Milwaukee School of Engineering welcomes Dr. Sudhir Kaul as the new department chairperson, effective Aug. 1, 2023.

Kaul comes to MSOE from Western Carolina University in North Carolina where he served as a professor in WCU’s School of Engineering and Technology and program director of the school’s engineering program. He began his academic career as a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria in South Africa and then moved to the University of Mount Union in Ohio where he served as an assistant professor and interim department chair. Kaul has held academic positions since 2008.

Kaul is no stranger to Milwaukee: he earned his Ph.D. (2006) and M.S. (2003) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has extensive industry experience working at Hero, Briggs & Stratton Corporation and Harley Davidson Motor Company. He earned a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, India.

“Dr. Kaul’s academic and industry experiences will greatly benefit our students, faculty and the broader MSOE community,” said Dr. Eric Baumgartner, executive vice president of academics. “We are thrilled to welcome him to campus and look forward to his visionary leadership of one of MSOE’s largest departments and programs.”

In 2022, Kaul was one of 17 recipients of the University of North Carolina system’s top awards: the UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. In accepting the award, he said, “My teaching philosophy emphasizes the open-ended nature of engineering problem-solving through a combination of task-based and project-based learning that is integrated with experiential learning. Task-based and project-based learning allow me to inculcate a high level of interaction to create an environment where learning can happen through multiple channels. This also allows me to significantly engage students while simulating real-life engineering projects and blending engineering science with engineering practice.”

Kaul’s industry experiences include development of vibration isolation systems, motorcycle powertrains, and hydraulic systems. Additionally, he has published more than 75 articles in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings on topics such as dynamic modeling for vibration isolation, motorcycle dynamics, and fracture diagnostics. He authored “Modeling and Analysis of Passive Vibration Isolation Systems,” a reference book for engineers and researchers involved in the design, development, modeling, analysis, and testing of passive vibration isolation systems and as a reference for a graduate course in vibration modeling and analysis. In 2023, he served as a Fulbright Specialist in Indonesia.

As chairperson, Kaul will oversee the strategic direction and academic development of MSOE’s Mechanical Engineering Department. He will work closely with faculty members to enhance the curriculum, strengthen industry partnerships, and promote collaborative research initiatives. Kaul’s industry experience and commitment to practical, hands-on learning align perfectly with MSOE’s mission to be the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.