The University of North Florida named Paul Eason as its first vice president of strategy and innovation, effective Aug. 5.
According to a news release, Eason will oversee the execution of the UNF Strategic Plan, which was updated this summer with an emphasis on performance-based funding metrics, elevating the university’s ranking in U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges report and strategic growth.
“Paul is a strategic thinker who is widely respected at UNF and throughout Northeast Florida. He cares deeply about our students, the university and our community, and I know UNF will benefit immensely from his leadership in this new role,” UNF President Moez Limayem said in the July 31 release.
Among his responsibilities, Eason will work to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation to help UNF reach its highest potential, the release states.
He began his career at UNF in 2005 as an adjunct professor in the School of Engineering. He was hired as a tenure track assistant professor in 2007 and rose through the ranks to associate professor in 2012 and professor in 2018.
Eason helped develop the Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Innovation legislative budget request in 2016 that continues to fund faculty in the advanced manufacturing engineering degree program and the operation of UNF’s Materials Science and Engineering Research Facility, where he will remain director.
A Jacksonville native, Eason graduated from Terry Parker High School and attended the University of Florida, where he received a bachelor’s and doctorate in materials science and engineering.
Eason spent his early career consulting in engineering matters related to litigation and risk assessment. He founded e4 Consulting in 2003 and is an expert witness in lawsuits, testifying in matters of materials failure, fires and explosions.