Darryll J. Pines, Ph.D. is the new President of the University of Maryland.  The University of Maryland first broke the news on Twitter on February 12. Dr. Pines’s tenure at the public research university in College Park, Maryland begins on July 1.

In an announcement from the Office of the Chancellor, Jay A. Perman, MD praised Pines’ long and distinguished service to UMD. “This is the first major appointment since I became chancellor, and it’s something that I felt we had to get absolutely right—so I couldn’t be more pleased to see Darryll Pines appointed as the next president of the University of Maryland, College Park,” Perman said.

“Under Dr. Pines’ leadership, the number of tenured and tenure-track women faculty in the Clark School has more than doubled, and the number of underrepresented minority faculty has grown as well, ” Perman added. “He’s attracted significant philanthropic support to the school, ending the university’s last campaign with more than $240 million raised, 30 percent over the school’s $185 million goal.”

In 2019, Dr. Pines was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his “inspirational leadership and contributions to engineering education.”

“The Board is delighted to welcome as president of our flagship institution a leader of the caliber of Dr. Pines,” Board of Regents Chair Linda Gooden said in a statement. “The University of Maryland, College Park is a world-class institution, and Dr. Pines brings to the position a wealth of experience. He knows intimately the strengths of the faculty, the energy of the students, and the circle of legislative and philanthropic support both in the State of Maryland and beyond. I can’t think of a better person to build on the excellence at the university and take it to even higher levels. I know I speak for the entire board when I say we’ve found precisely the right person for this important job—College Park will indeed be in good hands.”

Pines has spent 25 years on the College Park campus. He has served as both dean and the Nariman Farvardin Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the Clark School since January 2009. As dean, Pines has led the development of the Clark School’s 2020 Strategic Plan and achieved notable successes in key areas, such as improving teaching in fundamental undergraduate courses and raising student retention, achieving success in national and international student competitions, placing new emphasis on sustainability engineering and service-learning, promoting STEM education among high school students, increasing the impact of research programs, and expanding philanthropic contributions to the school.