Cherrice Traver, director of computer engineering at Union College, has been named Dean of Engineering and Computer Science, effective July 1. Current Dean Robert Balmer is retiring.
Traver came to Union in 1986 and has been director of computer engineering for the past eight years. She received a bachelor of science degree in physics from the State University of New York at Albany and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia.
“Cherrice has a broad knowledge of the campus that will allow her to further the goals not only of the division she will lead but the Converging Technologies initiative as well,” said Dean of Faculty Christina Sorum. “She also has a wonderful combination of vision that I'm sure will lead Engineering to new heights.”
Traver is described by her peers as organized and goal-oriented. She is known by her students as a fair and even-tempered teacher. She is faculty advisor for Union's Robotics Club and director of Robot Camp, a summer program for middle and high school students.
Traver has conducted research in the field of asynchronous digital circuits and systems. She has participated in and received grant funding for numerous projects, including a $146,000 grant from the National Science Foundation in 1994 and a $30,000 grant from the Microelectronics Design Center in 2002.
Traver has authored more than 30 articles for research journals and industry publications and presented at national engineering conferences. She has served as a consultant for the General Electric Global Research Center, the Capital Region Technology Development Council and Sandia National Laboratories.