Dr. Robert Bishop, Opus Dean of the College of Engineering, has resigned from his position at Marquette and will become dean of the University of South Florida's College of Engineering.

Dr. Kristina Ropella, executive associate dean, will serve as interim dean, effective July 15, 2014. Ropella earned her bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering from Marquette in 1985 and earned her master of science and doctor of biomedical engineering degrees from Northwestern University.

"We have made great strides in our educational and research programs under Dr. Bishop's leadership," Ropella said. "His vision and relentless pursuit of excellence have resulted in new and exciting initiatives benefitting faculty and students alike."

Ropella has served 24 years as a faculty member at Marquette, including nine years as chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

"Throughout her career, Dr. Ropella has been looked up to as a leader and problem solver," said Interim Provost and Dean of the College of Nursing Dr. Margaret Faut Callahan. "As evidenced by the variety of scholarly and professional recognition she has received, including serving as the college's executive associate dean, she is poised to keep the momentum of the college moving forward."

Beyond her work on campus, Ropella was honored as the Wisconsin U.S. Professor of the Year by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support for Education and was named among the Milwaukee Business Journal's Women of Influence winners in 2008.

"In the coming weeks, we will appoint a search committee that is in accordance with university policy," Callahan said. "We look forward to drawing on input from faculty, members of the Office of the Provost and President."

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