I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by “doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God.”

Leadership by example is paramount to Dean Hendrix.

So is making a positive impact.

He’s had the opportunity to display both as an Auburn Engineering faculty member for 28 years, and he’s eager to show them again as the college’s new associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment.

“I’d never ask someone to do something I haven’t already been doing or wouldn’t do myself. I’m happy to jump right in and help,” said Hendrix, who previously served as associate department chair and director of undergraduate programs in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering until assuming the new role on Aug. 1. “As a leader, it’s important to ask questions, such as ‘What roadblocks are in your way to doing this well and how can I help?’”

Hendrix pivoted from opportunities in industry to pursue a career in higher education because he simply “loved to learn.” “Higher education provided that path,” he said. “Along the way, I realized you really learn something when you teach somebody else.

“Auburn Engineering has so much going for it, but the crown jewel of the college is our students. We can’t lose sight of that. I’m excited about providing our students more opportunities — academically or facilities or whatever,” he added.