S.K. Ramesh, dean of CSUN’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, was elected to a three-year term on the governing board of a prominent international electrical engineering honor society.

At the beginning of the year, Ramesh began his term as the director of the west region of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN), the largest professional association for the advancement of technology. The website of the organization details that there are about 200 university chapters.

“It’s an honor (to be on the board),” Ramesh said. “It’s a privilege to serve. I wish that more people would have the opportunity to serve because you learn a lot about your own profession and the organization when you get into a position like this.”

The president of IEEE-HKN asked Ramesh to also serve as treasurer, so he holds the responsibilities for both positions.

The goal of the board of governors is to increase the number of chapters of the organization in the nation and to provide students the opportunity to serve society by applying their knowledge in the field, Ramesh said.

During his term, Ramesh wants to expand awareness of the society among students.

“Not all students join the society when they’re invited and I’d really like to see every eligible student become a member,” he said.

He also wants to provide a broader understanding of what they do as engineers and how they contribute to society.

Ramesh’s colleagues find his new position an asset and his new position an advantage to the university.

“He’s got such powerful leadership skills that I have no doubt that he will be help this group to succeed more than it already has,” said Bruno Osorno, professor of electrical and computer engineering.

Former CSUN student and current Vice Chair of the IEEE Los Angeles Council Luis Carbajo, who worked with Ramesh during his time at CSUN, found his recent election to the board significant.

“To have our dean be elected as a governor of the HKN is a big thing,” he said. “It represents all the universities with an HKN chapter on the west of the United States. It (affects) how CSUN is viewed by all the universities.”

Other members of the department view Ramesh’s current position as timely, given the ongoing funding cuts.

“It’s hard during these budget times to receive recognition and the resources, and (Dr. Ramesh) has managed to do that in a nice, diplomatic way,” said Ali Amini, department chair of electrical and computer engineering.

Ramesh has served as the dean of engineering at CSUN for six years. Prior to that he served as the department chair of engineering at Cal State Sacramento.