James Tinjum has high expectations for the College of Engineering’s Geological Engineering Program.

Tinjum, an associate professor with a background in geological engineering, has been named the program’s new director. Geological Engineering is housed in the college’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

“I’d like us to be recognized in the top tier; without question, the top-five geological engineering programs in the nation,” he says. “It’s a smaller discipline, so there are not as many programs, but pushing us as far as that top one or two would definitely be my goal as far as reputation and respect for our students and our graduate program.”