Illinois Tech has appointed Louis N. Cattafesta III as the new Carol and Ed Kaplan Dean of Armour College of Engineering. Cattafesta, previously the John G. and Jane E. Olin Endowed Department Chair in Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering, will assume his new role at the start of the 2025-26 academic year.
Cattafesta has been part of Illinois Tech since August 1, 2022, when he became the inaugural Olin Endowed Department Chair. President of Illinois Tech, Raj Echambadi, expressed optimism about Cattafesta's appointment, stating, “His pioneering vision will empower Armour College of Engineering to prepare the next generation of innovators, and I am sure that under his leadership, Illinois Tech’s engineering programs will continue to flourish.”
Interim Provost Jamshid Mohammadi supported the appointment, noting Cattafesta's leadership qualities demonstrated through his work in the Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering. Cattafesta himself emphasized his commitment to preparing students to address society's challenges through education that integrates fundamentals, innovation, and hands-on learning.
Cattafesta outlined his goals to modernize academic programs, promote convergence research, and enhance experiential learning. He plans to strengthen partnerships and diversify revenue streams to ensure financial sustainability. “My overarching goal is to reestablish a culture of excellence that emphasizes collaboration, shared purpose, and the invaluable contributions of all team members,” he stated.
Before joining Illinois Tech, Cattafesta directed the Florida Center for Advanced Aero Propulsion and held academic positions at the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering and the University of Florida. He has also worked as a research scientist at NASA’s Langley Research Center. His research expertise includes experimental fluid dynamics and aeroacoustics.
Cattafesta holds a B.S. and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Penn State University and an M.S. in Aeronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.