West Virginia University Institute of Technology has named Dr. Zeljko “Z” Torbica the new dean of the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences. Currently the program director and associate clinical professor of construction management at Drexel University, Torbica has 13 years of higher education experience in both public and private universities, in addition to his international private-sector business record.
Torbica earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 1997. He holds a postgraduate diploma from B. Jupp & Partners in London, England, and completed graduate study and his Dipl.Ing. degree (structural engineering) at the University of Belgrade in Yugoslavia. He has also completed executive programs at Harvard University (2007) and Columbia University (2008). He is a certified general contractor, project management professional and certified quality engineer.
“We are excited to bring someone of such high caliber to this great institution. I look forward to working with Dr. Torbica, and trust that under his leadership, we will continue to grow our College of Engineering and Sciences,” explained WVU Tech CEO Carolyn Long.
Torbica comes to WVU Tech from Drexel University where he facilitated the launch of the new online master’s degree in construction management, which has become the fastest growing construction management graduate program in the country. He also led the ACCE program accreditation efforts, which led to initial accreditation in February 2011.
Torbica said, “This is an exciting and gratifying opportunity to be joining the leadership team at WVU Tech. I foresee great things ahead for the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences and its programs.”
Torbica will assume his role at WVU Tech on August 1, 2012.