April 30, 2025 — The College of Engineering and Computing Sciences (CoECS) at the New York Institute of Technology is proud to announce that Dr. Ziqian (Cecilia) Dong, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been named a Fellow in the 2025–2026 Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering and Science (ELATES) program at Drexel University.

ELATES is a prestigious national leadership development program aimed at advancing senior women faculty in STEM into institutional leadership roles. Dr. Dong joins a diverse cohort of leaders from across the country, representing a broad range of academic and research excellence in the STEM fields.

In addition to her selection, Dr. Dong has been awarded a Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) Scholarship, that will fully cover the program’s tuition cost. Over the course of the fellowship year, she will engage in three in-residence sessions in Philadelphia, complete structured online leadership development modules, and work collaboratively with ELATES peers and mentors on strategic initiatives.

“Dr. Dong’s selection to ELATES reflects her strong leadership capabilities and unwavering commitment to advancing engineering education… We are thrilled to see her represent New York Tech Tech on the national stage.” —Babak D. Beheshti, Ph.D., Dean, College of Engineering and Computing Sciences (CoECS)

The ELATES program will run from August 2025 through March 2026, culminating in a national Leaders Forum on March 19, 2026.

^{This article was contributed by Sophie Yoakum, Programs & Retention Coordinator, College of Engineering and Computing Sciences.}