Dr. Zelmanowitz graduated from Cornell in 1983 with a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering and from N.C. State University with an M.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering in 1986. After earning her Masters, Dr. Zelmanowitz worked as an environmental engineer at Alliance Technologies in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering in August 1991. She then took a teaching position in Civil Engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. She engages cadets in Coast Guard research and consulting work in environmental engineering. Her most recent capstone and research projects involve a multi-year project combining Mechanical and Civil Engineers to develop and test lab-scale graywater treatment systems that simulate shipboard conditions for the CG Office of Operating and Environmental Standards (CG-OES). In summer 2026, Dr. Zelmanowitz completed 11 years running the Academy’s engineering and cyber systems programs. With a vision toward modernizing the academic division, she was pivotal in convincing CG senior leaders to adopt a model more aligned with other higher education institutions. She was selected as Inaugural Dean of Engineering and Cyber Systems under the current Provost, Schools, and Departments model. In the Under Dr. Zelmanowitz’ leadership the school earned national recognition for an initiative that fostered healthy climate and culture, a Cyber Systems major was launched that is accredited in ABET’s Computing Commission (CAC) and Academy wide Cyber Education earned CGA designation as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. Also, as Dean, Dr. Zelmanowitz developed a new prep program at UMASS Boston collaborating with colleagues to increase success of cadets in the School of Engineering and Cyber Systems. She also led the development and implementation of a flexible and innovative Interdisciplinary Engineering major to increase the number of engineering graduates by meeting the interests and needs of a broad spectrum of students. Dr. Zelmanowitz strengthened stakeholder relationships through the Engineering and Cyber Advisory Council. She is now happily spending her last year on the faculty as a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Education

• Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• M.S., Biological and Agricultural Engineering North Carolina State University
• Agricultural Engineering, Cornell University

Courses Taught

• Senior Capstone Design
• Environmental Engineering I
• Environmental Engineering II
• Statics and Engineering Design
• Strength of Materials
• Civil Engineering Design

Selected Publications and Presentations

• Zelmanowitz, S. 2005. “Treatment of Simulated Shipboard Gray Water in a Lab-Scale Membrane Bioreactor.” Center for Advanced Studies Report 08-05.
• Zelmanowitz, S. 2003. “Development of a Membrane Bioreactor to Treat Combined Gray Water and Black Water on a 225’ Buoy Tender”, Presented at the Marine Environmental Engineering Technology Symposium In Pursuit of Cleaner Seas.

Awarded Grants

• Adrezin, R., Burns, K., Freeman, R., and Russell, J. (2012). DOD Systems Engineering Grant – RT19A to support integrating systems engineering into capstone projects – Senior Personnel: A. Foley, R. Hartnett, and S. Zelmanowitz: Department of Defense

Honors

• U.S. Department of Transportation Team Commendation Award. November, 1997

Professional Memberships

• Professional Engineer in New York since 1994
• Water Environment Federation
• New England Water Environment Association
• New York Water Environment Association
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• National Academic Advising Association