January 30, 2025
By Mikey Fuller

Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Rae S. and Frank H. Neely Professor, has been reappointed Associate Chair for Faculty Development in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. She has served in this position since 2019.

The Associate Chair for Faculty Development oversees faculty evaluation processes and develops and manages mentoring and academic leadership programs.

Since becoming Associate Chair for Faculty Development, Kalaitzidou has expanded her efforts to develop a more collaborative culture and community in the Woodruff School by increasing the sense of belonging for all members of the community. She has planned and organized community building events including the Woodruff Games, Winter Wonderland, Pi Day Competition, and monthly celebrations of birthdays with the School Chair for faculty and staff.

Last fall, Kalaitzidou launched a new series of monthly staff engagement events including yoga and meditation sessions, a healthy eating discussion led by a dietitian, and a financial advising session.

Kalaitzidou says her most notable career accomplishments are the Woodruff Academic Leadership and Management Fellows Program and the Faculty Mentoring Program which enable faculty to develop their soft skills, become inclusive leaders, and reach their potential as mentors to their students and as leaders. Not only does Kalaitzidou support the faculty in the Woodruff School, but she also serves as a mentor to other women faculty at Georgia Tech and at other institutions.

Her passion for enabling others goes beyond faculty and includes graduate students and staff through the Woodruff Leadership Program for Graduate Students, launched this semester, and her commitment to nominate and recognize staff members.

“Kyriaki’s dedication and hard work have already made a meaningful impact, and it’s clear she’s been a driving force in strengthening the community,” said Devesh Ranjan, Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair and professor. “I’m excited to see how she will continue to inspire positive change in the Woodruff School moving forward.”

Kalaitzidou joined Georgia Tech as an assistant professor in 2007 and was promoted to professor and named a Rae S. and Frank H. Neely Professor in 2019.

Before joining Georgia Tech, Kalaitzidou obtained her Ph.D. in manufacturing and characterization of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) from Michigan State University and worked as a post-doctoral researcher on mechanics of soft materials in the Polymer Science and Engineering Department at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Kalaitzidou’s research is in manufacturing and mechanics of materials and focuses on utilizing the unique properties of nanomaterials.