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New department head Julian Kang didn’t have much time to decide which clothes to pack for his new job as head of the Department of Construction and Concrete Industry Management within the Lohr College of Engineering at South Dakota State University.

He accepted the college’s offer on Aug. 14 and was at his new position Aug. 22 with classes beginning Aug. 26. “Indeed, it has been a whirlwind start, but I am thrilled to be a member of the Jackrabbit family,” Kang said.

For all of the current century, he had been part of the Aggie family. Originally from Busan, South Korea, Kang earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Yonsei University in Seoul in 1986 and 1988, respectively. 

After working as an associate researcher for Tong-Yang Cement (1988-89) and as a 3D CAD team leader for KEPCO Engineering and Construction (1989-98), both in South Korea, he came in Texas A&M University in College Station to earn his doctorate in civil engineering. He received that in 2001 and immediately joined the Aggie faculty.

Kang was an assistant professor from 2001 to 2008 and then an associate professor from 2008 until arriving at ������Ƶ.

He said he was drawn to ������Ƶ because of its “strong commitment to solving real-world challenges through academic excellence and industry partnerships. I was particularly impressed by the university's initiative to launch the concrete industry management program, which represents a forward-thinking approach to education that prepares students to become leaders in the highly dynamic construction industry. 

“This program resonated deeply with my goals to foster innovation and develop future leaders in the construction industry as does ������Ƶ's vision to be a recognized leader in research and education.”

Departmental priorities

After introducing himself to the department’s faculty, his top three departmental priorities are curriculum innovation and enhancement, research and industry collaboration and student success and professional development.

Curriculum innovation: “My first priority is continuously updating and innovating the curriculum to integrate the latest industry standards, technologies and methodologies. This includes expanding our offerings in digital construction practices and sustainable building techniques to ensure our students are well-prepared for the evolving landscape of the construction industry.”

Research and industry collaboration: “I am committed to enhancing our department's research capabilities by fostering strong partnerships with industry leaders. This will provide practical, real-world experiences for our students and position our department as a leader in producing relevant and impactful research, particularly in areas like concrete technology and digital fabrication.”

Student success and professional development: “Ensuring our students' academic and professional success is paramount. I plan to implement comprehensive support systems and development opportunities that prepare our students not just to enter the field but to excel and become leaders. This includes enhancing mentorship programs, strengthening career services and increasing hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.”

Hobby: architectural heritage

Kang’s outside interest is “exploring cities and architectural heritage sites around the world. It is fascinating to observe how cities have developed over time, the people who live there and the unique cultures they have developed.”

He and his wife Amy, whom he met while attending college in South Korea, have a son, June, and a daughter-in-law, Jordan, both of whom are medical professionals in Texas.