Dan Burleson

Dan Burleson, PhD, currently serves as a Professor of Instruction and Director of the First Year Program at The University of Texas at Dallas since June 2025. Prior to this role, Burleson was an Instructional Associate Professor at the University of Houston from September 2015 to May 2025, where significant contributions included curriculum development for introductory engineering courses and enhancing student engagement through active and multi-modal learning strategies. As the Director and Founder of the University of Houston Grand Challenge Scholars Program, Burleson successfully launched the initiative in October 2021. Additionally, Burleson served as Founding Director for the Engineering Student Innovation and Design Experience, fostering multidisciplinary student projects. Academic qualifications include a PhD in Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering from the University of Houston and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida.