South SFV Today

Kenneth Goodson, a professor of mechanical engineering and senior associate dean for research and faculty affairs in the School of Engineering at Stanford University, has been appointed as the vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs. Provost Jenny Martinez announced that Goodson's tenure will begin on April 1.

“I’m thrilled that Ken has agreed to be the next vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs. Ken is an example of an excellent mentor who truly cares about graduate students and postdocs,” Martinez stated. “He is deeply invested in working together with faculty and students to enhance graduate education in creative ways. Ken brings a wealth of experience from the School of Engineering, and I am excited for his thoughtful leadership in strengthening graduate communities across the campus.”

Goodson expressed his gratitude for this new role: “Graduate students and postdocs have taught me so much during my 30 years at Stanford, and have enriched my career immeasurably,” he said. “I am honored to have the chance to give back to this community in my new role, while supporting the faculty in their important roles as mentors.”

Stacey Bent, who previously held the position, announced last summer her decision to step down after five years to return to teaching and research. She commented on Goodson’s appointment: “I am so pleased to learn that Ken Goodson will assume the role of vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs,” she said. “Ken is truly a multi-talented faculty member with significant experience in running a research group, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate level, and working in university leadership.”

As a researcher specializing in heat transfer and energy conversion with applications ranging from electric vehicles to portable electronics, Goodson holds degrees from MIT. His academic journey includes conducting postdoctoral research in Germany before joining Stanford’s faculty.

Goodson emphasized his commitment to fostering innovation within graduate education: “The special sauce at Stanford is the way that graduate students and postdocs drive research innovation and collaboration at a grassroots level,” he said.

Having mentored over 55 doctoral graduates during his career—many now professors or industry leaders—Goodson describes himself as both coach and cheerleader for his mentees. In past administrative roles, including Mechanical Engineering Chair, he advocated for policy modernization within the School of Engineering.

In taking up this new position, Goodson aims to continue recent advancements under Bent’s leadership by focusing on resource development for student support, aiding transitions related to unionization efforts among staff members, enhancing mentoring skills among faculty members amid evolving federal policies impacting academia.

“One of my priorities is to help the VPGE office traverse these challenging times while staying true to its core values," he noted.

Beyond academics, Goodson has pursued music studies alongside engineering—a passion leading him occasionally back onto stage performing locally with ensembles like Stanford Symphonic Chorus or San Francisco Choral Society.

His dedication was recognized when awarded Semiconductor Research Corporation's Aristotle Award honoring exceptional mentorship practices among graduates—a testament reflecting ongoing enthusiasm toward cultivating intellectual curiosity throughout campus settings: "I love mentoring graduate students...and am huge fan atmosphere curiosity discovery they bring our campus."

The Office Vice Provost Graduate Education Postdoctoral Affairs established 2007 supports scholarly endeavors across university framework under initial guidance Patricia Gumport twelve-year period preceding current operations headed by Davies Family Provostial Professor also holding courtesy appointments various disciplines including materials science engineering.

Bent continues contributing academic landscape through multiple professorial fellowships spanning chemical electrical energies sciences coupled departmental affiliations Precourt Institute Energy enriching institutional mission advancement knowledge dissemination technological progressions alike societal contexts globally interconnected future prospects envisioned collaboratively stakeholders involved collectively shaping tomorrow’s educational paradigms today fundamentally inspired transformative learning experiences gained herein over time dynamically evolving circumstances encountered naturally arising invariably amidst ongoing dialogues occurring continually shared spaces inhabited thus far incrementally furthered progressively advanced consequently thereby accordingly ultimately achieved realized fulfilling common objectives mutually beneficially attained resulting outcomes universally appreciated widely respected acknowledged recognized celebrated duly warranted justified 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