Leadership / Leadership ProfilesSara Sood
Associate Dean for Academic Programs
Sara Sood is associate dean for academic programs at the McCormick School of Engineering. In this role, she oversees the school’s academic portfolio, including career services, and works to align strategy across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
A 2007 PhD and 2005 MS graduate of McCormick in computer science, Sara returned to Northwestern in 2014 after serving as an assistant professor and associate professor of computer science at Pomona College. The Chookaszian Family Teaching Professor at McCormick, Sara served as associate chair for undergraduate education in the Department of Computer Science. She has helped scale educational programs, guided initiatives focused on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education, and fostered collaboration across departments and disciplines.
Recognized for her leadership in engineering education, Sara brings extensive experience in curriculum development, student success, and academic innovation. Sara earned a BA in computer science and mathematics from DePauw University.