Wentworth’s New School of Management Dean: Abigail Charest

Abigail J. Charest, PhD, PE, is Wentworth Institute of Technology’s new Dean of the School of Management, bringing more than 20 years of interdisciplinary expertise to the position including experience in academia, contracting, consulting, project management, and horizontal construction.  

“Her recent work to expand interdisciplinary program options for our graduate programs and research in sustainable infrastructure makes her an ideal candidate to expand upon the strategic vision of the School,” noted President Mark A. Thompson and Provost Ian Lapp in a statement.  

During her seven years at Wentworth, Charest has championed the concept of interdisciplinary learning and sought to create opportunities for cross-discipline electives. She is also the Blittersdorf endowed professor, which supports expanding topics of sustainability into the curriculum. To that end, she has developed seven courses over the years to incorporate learning about the environment and infrastructure, such as “Green Engineering” and “Sustainable Infrastructure.”  

Dean Charest has also increased undergraduate and graduate research opportunities for students. This work has included leading a sustainable infrastructure research group and creating a new undergraduate course in “Applied Research.”  

She has led efforts to create three new graduate degrees. One of these new degrees is Architectural Engineering, which is an interdisciplinary program combining courses in construction management, architecture, and engineering. This work involved collaboration with faculty in the School of Management. 

Charest started her professional career in contracting where she was involved with the construction of wastewater treatment facilities. She went onto consulting where she became a project team leader and managed projects, such as comprehensive water resources management planning and wastewater infrastructure improvements.  

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She is also a licensed professional engineer (PE) in Massachusetts.