W. Samuel Easterling began as the James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Dean of Engineering at Iowa State University on July 15, 2019. He leads the largest college on campus and is responsible for more than 8,000 students, 500 faculty and staff, 14 academic majors, multiple research centers and programs, and 12 buildings that comprise the engineering complex.

Easterling is an Iowa State alumnus having received his doctorate in structural engineering from the university in 1987. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from West Virginia University. Following graduation from Iowa State, Easterling joined the Virginia Tech faculty in 1987 and rose to the position of Montague-Betts Professor of Structural Steel Design and Department Head of the Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Easterling is an accomplished educator, scholar and administrator and is a registered Professional Engineer. He is active in professional organizations including the American Institute of Steel Construction, American Iron and Steel Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers (Fellow) and Structural Engineering Institute (Fellow).

Easterling’s primary research interests are in the areas of composite and coldformed steel structures, and he received numerous awards for his research and professional service. He was also active in Virginia Tech governance serving as president of the Virginia Tech faculty senate, chair of the commission on faculty affairs; chair of the commission on research; and a member of the university council.