Background

Jed Lyons received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In 1990, he joined the University of South Carolina as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, where he advanced to full Professor and served as Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Director. In 2004, he helped create the university-wide Center for Teaching Excellence, where he served as the first Faculty Director from 2006 to 2012. Lyons was appointed as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Engineering and Computing in 2012.  He was promoted to Senior Associate Dean in 2017, as served as such until 2025.

As the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Lyons directed undergraduate recruitment, retention, student services, and graduation activities. He provided college oversight for academic programs at all levels, managed academic resources and assessment services, and was part of the college’s communications and marketing team.  He helped craft and shape college and university policies and procedures, and served on many, many committees including the Re-envisioning Academic Advising at the University of South Carolina Task Force.

Lyons scholarship in the areas of engineering materials and engineering education included over $8M in funded projects and approximately 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He mentored over 200 research assistants, teaching assistants, teaching fellows and K-12 teacher/researchers. During his time at USC, he hired and developed over 70 staff and faculty in various administrative positions and mentored many others.

Lyons work as an engineering educator was recognized with Georgia Tech's Outstanding Young Alumni award in 1996. Lyons was elected as a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) in 2009. He was a founding member of the K-12 Engineering Division of ASEE and served as Chair and Executive Committee member of this Division. Lyons also served the Mechanical Engineering Division of ASEE as Executive Committee Member, Secretary, Program Chair, and Division Chair. USC awards include the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching award (2003), Biedenbach Distinguished Service award (2006), Litman Distinguished Professor award (2004), and USC Educational Foundation Award for Outstanding Faculty Service (2019).

Education

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1990
• M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1987
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1984