After an extensive national search, R. Thomas Jones, dean of Cal Poly's College of Architecture and Environmental Design, chose Dandekar. "She has the administrative experience, record of scholarship and familiarity with the environmental design professions," said Jones. "She will make an immediate contribution to the university community." The overall quality of the program, the excellence of the faculty and exceptional student work were factors in Professor Dandekar's decision to take the post. Hema's email will be [email protected]

Dandekar was professor of planning at Arizona State University where she served as director of the School of Planning at ASU from 2002-2007. Before ASU, Dandekar was professor of planning at the University of Michigan in the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, and held senior posts at the university including Associate Vice President for Research and Director of the Center for South and Southeast Asia.. She holds a Ph.D. in urban and regional planning from UCLA, a master's in architecture from the University of Michigan and a bachelor's in architecture from the University of Bombay.

An author of six books and numerous book chapters, Dandekar has done recent work on planning along the U.S. Mexico border and on rural community development and family farms and farm buildings.

On September 01, 2009 Dandekar will take over from William Siembieda, the Cal Poly city and regional planning department head for the last eleven years. Siembieda remains in the department as professor and as Director of the College's new Planning, Design and Construction Institute (PDCI).

An image of Hemalata Dandekar is available.

Contact Information: City & Regional Planning Department - Cal Poly SLO; Phone: 805-756-1315; email: [email protected]; web: www.planning.calpoly.edu