Mechanical engineer and associate dean Sang June Oh has been appointed interim dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, effective June 1.
“My loyalty and deep connection to the college and the university stem from the immense joy, support and stability that the college and the university have provided me and my family,” Oh said.
Oh, who joined Cal State Fullerton in August 2008 and has served as the college’s associate dean since July 2016, was selected following feedback from faculty and staff.
“Faculty and staff indicated a strong preference for a leader who is collaborative, transparent and innovative, with a focus on providing stability,” said Amir Dabirian, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Dean Susamma (Susan) Barua, who has served in the role since 2016 and has 37 years of service at Cal State Fullerton, is retiring at the end of the semester.
Among Oh’s most rewarding experiences at CSUF is when former students return to campus to share their success stories and reflect on how Cal State Fullerton has shaped and transformed their career paths.
“One of my goals is to lead and support the college in fostering lasting connections, where alumni have a deep sense of belonging and continue to engage with the university as a lifelong professional and academic home,” he said.
Oh added that building relationships with students, faculty, staff and others is important to him.
“For the past 17 years, I have been fortunate to meet extraordinary colleagues who have naturally become lifelong friends,” he said.
“Their support and dedication empower me to tackle challenges confidently as we work together to cultivate an optimal learning environment for our engineering and computer science students — future leaders who will drive innovation across California and beyond.”
After earning bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering, all from Columbia University, Oh started his teaching and research career at the university as a lecturer.
He rose through the faculty ranks in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and became a tenured associate professor in 2015 and a full professor in 2022. He served as department chair from 2015-16.
As associate dean for the past nine years, Oh has led and supported numerous college operations, including enrollment management, student internships and the California State University’s Graduation Initiative 2025. He also directed efforts to ensure the college meets quality standards set by ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
Over the years, Oh has been involved in numerous university committees, including the Academic Standards Committee, Petitions Committee and the Strategic Plan Oversight Committee. He is currently co-director of Project RAISER, supported by a U.S. Department of Education grant dedicated to enhancing transfer student success in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines.
Oh, whose research interests include assistive technology and biomedical engineering, completed postdoctoral positions in neuroscience at Yale University and Johns Hopkins University.
He has demonstrated his commitment to student success by teaching 13 distinct lecture and laboratory courses. Oh has also mentored students on various mechanical engineering research projects, including publications co-authored by his students.
His dedication to fostering a student-centered academic environment has earned him campus recognition, including the 2009 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award from Associated Students Inc. He has received recognition from the Faculty Development Center for his teaching, support of graduate students and accomplishments in ABET accreditation.