Dr. Ragavanantham Shanmugam
Professor & Head, Applied Engineering
(256) 782-5304
rshanmugam@jsu.edu
Dr. Ragavanantham Shanmugam is a Professor and Head of Applied Engineering at Jacksonville State University, where he leads academic programs focused on Automation and Robotics, Manufacturing management, Industrial leadership and occupational safety and Health management. With over 25 years of experience in engineering education, research, and academic leadership, Dr. Shanmugam is recognized for his commitment to student success, curriculum innovation, and industry-relevant program development.
Dr. Shanmugam has held leadership and faculty positions at several institutions, including Navajo Technical University (Arizona), Fairmont State University (West Virginia) and Anna University (India). His administrative experience includes faculty recruitment, ABET and HLC accreditation oversight, curriculum modernization, and strategic program expansion. He has played a key role in building interdisciplinary programs that integrate hands-on learning, emerging technologies, and real-world problem solving.
An active researcher and grant leader, Dr. Shanmugam has secured more than $10.9 million in external funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. His research interests span advanced manufacturing, engineering materials, AI-enabled engineering education, and workforce development.
Dr. Shanmugam has authored over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, 20 international conference papers, and seven book chapters, with more than 900+ citations on Google Scholar. He also serves as a Guest Editor for the MDPI Manufacturing Journal and as an Editor for a CRC Press book series.
A passionate educator, Dr. Shanmugam emphasizes strong foundational learning, experiential education, and student engagement. He has led multiple initiatives focused on student retention, diversity and inclusion, and structured pathways to success in engineering and technology programs. His innovative teaching approaches integrate real-world applications, hands-on projects, and emerging technologies to prepare students for modern engineering careers.
Dr. Shanmugam’s contributions to education have been recognized through several honors, including:
- Best Teacher Award (Bentham Science, 2022)
- Best Innovative Teacher in Manufacturing Engineering (Bentham Science, 2022)
- “Diverse Business Leader” Recognition (Albuquerque First Magazine, 2022)
- Nominee, IEEE Outstanding Engineering Educator Award, 2023
- Best Teacher Award (Anna University, 2024)
- Marquis America’s Who’s Who (2025)
He is an active member of professional organizations including IEEE, ASME, ASEE, SME, and ITEEA, and continues to contribute to regional workforce development, academic innovation, and industry-academic partnerships.
