Dr. Kenneth G. Ricks has been appointed head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering.
Ricks joined UA in 2002 as an assistant professor before being promoted to associate professor in 2008 and full professor in 2022. He has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership within the College, including serving as associate department head for 12 years. He has served as interim department head since 2022.
“His time as interim department head for electrical and computer engineering has shown his ability to provide steady, collaborative and forward-looking leadership,” said Dean Clifford Henderson. “I am excited for the next chapter of ECE under the leadership of Dr. Ricks.” Before coming to UA, Ricks worked for NASA as an electrical and computer engineer focused on digital electronic design, software development and astronaut training in the Neutral Buoyancy Simulator.
“He brings a decades-long record of service to the department and our College, a strong reputation as an educator and mentor, and expertise in fields that are increasingly central to engineering and society,” said Henderson.
During his time at the Styslinger College of Engineering, he has taught nearly 20 different types of student courses and directed 20 theses. He maintains research interests in artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, computer vision and related areas.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has experienced significant growth and achievement under his leadership, including nine NASA Lunabotics Challenge championships earned by Alabama Astrobotics and several students named recipients of Alabama Space Grant Consortium scholarships and fellowships. Ricks has served as the faculty advisor for Alabama Astrobotics for almost two decades.
“The support I’ve received means the world to me because it demonstrates that what we are doing in ECE is working and that where we want to go is a shared vision,” said Ricks. “I look forward to serving the department in the coming years and trying to help our faculty, staff and students achieve their goals.”
Along with the T. Morris Hackney Endowed Faculty Leadership Award and the UA National Alumni Association Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award, he has received honors from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and NASA.