In January of 2022, Prairie View A&M University’s Carnegie Research Classification moved from an R3 institution with moderate research to an R2 university with higher research activity. This designation is now held by 133 universities nationwide. Prairie View’s designation as an R2 research institution indicates that we can compete with some of the best universities in the world. The 11 research centers, faculty, and students in the College of Engineering played a significant role in helping to accomplish this prestigious achievement. In 2020 PVAMU awarded 22 doctoral degrees, 7 of which were from the College of Engineering. The same year the University increased its research expenditures to over $23.6 million, with the College of Engineering contributing significantly.
This R2 designation will have a profound impact on the College of Engineering. This designation will allow us to acquire a wide breadth of resources to facilitate scholarly activities and recruit top faculty and students. Although the faculty will continue to focus on teaching, this designation means their research activity will increase, and faculty will become more active in their fields and have a higher level of expertise. In order to increase the research activity, the College will have to cross interdisciplinary lines, which allow us to work on groundbreaking research that could influence society for generations to come.
Pamela Obiomon| Dean and Interim Head of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department