Category Archives: pioneer profile

Duncan Fraser: Making a difference for students in South Africa and beyond

photo of Dunan FraserDuncan Fraser was Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town, where he was also a founder and director (2000–2005) of the Centre for Research in Engineering Education. Dr. Fraser was also a founding member of the African Engineering Association (AEEA), and in 2011 was elected Vice President of the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES). His research interests focused on improving student learning through curriculum reform and improved teaching practices.

This profile was authored by Cheryl Allendoerfer, University of Washington, based on an interview with Dr. Fraser in 2014. Continue reading Duncan Fraser: Making a difference for students in South Africa and beyond

Norman Fortenberry: A leader in transforming engineering education

photo of Norman FortenberryNorman Fortenberry, a longtime leader in education scholarship who has held senior positions at the National Science Foundation and National Academy of Engineering, is currently Executive Director of the American Society for Engineering Education. Throughout his career, he has played an integral role in transforming engineering education practice and research by facilitating productive collaborations among academe, industry, and government. In his endeavor to shape engineering education on a national scale, he keeps in mind the memory that gave rise to his motivation: a need to serve students. 

This profile was authored by Mary McCormick, Tufts University, based on an interview with Dr. Fortenberry in 2014. Continue reading Norman Fortenberry: A leader in transforming engineering education

Mary Anderson-Rowland: Welcoming and supporting underrepresented students

photo of Mary Anderson-RowlandA pioneer, a role model, an inspiration, a survivor. These are just a few of the ways to describe Mary Anderson-Rowland.  An educator for nearly fifty years, Dr. Anderson-Rowland has paved the way for many.  She began her career teaching Statistics at Arizona State University in 1966.  Six years later, she transitioned into the school of engineering, where she served as an Associate Dean of Student Affairs for 11 years. Dr. Anderson-Rowland has received several grants from the National Science Foundation to increase undergraduate enrollment in STEM.  She has been honored by organizations including WEPAN, ASEE, SWE, and SHPE for her tireless efforts to broaden the participation of female and underrepresented students in engineering and computer science. Dr. Anderson-Rowland has published nearly 200 publications focused on the recruitment, retention, and mentoring of those students traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines, including students who transfer from community colleges.  Now an Associate Professor of Computing, Informatics, and Systems Design Engineering at ASU, she is showing no signs of slowing down.  She remains committed to making an impact and changing the lives of her students.

This profile was authored by Stacie L. Gregory, Utah State University, based on an interview with Dr. Anderson-Rowland in 2014. This profile features two extra sections, published on separate pages linked below. Continue reading Mary Anderson-Rowland: Welcoming and supporting underrepresented students

Lueny Morell: Driving change in engineering education at a global scale

photo of Lueny MorellLueny Morell has had successful careers in both academia and industry. She began her academic work teaching chemical engineering in Puerto Rico, served in the university relations group at HP Labs, and has been involved in multiple engineering education change efforts around the world. Ms. Morell has truly made a lasting impact on engineering education. With extensive knowledge of effective teaching and assessment practices based in real-world engineering problems and an unparalleled passion for quality engineering education, she has earned numerous honors and awards reflecting her influence on the field.

This profile was authored by Rachel Louis Kajfez, Ohio State University, based on an interview with Ms. Morell in 2014. This profile features two extra sections, published on separate pages linked below. Continue reading Lueny Morell: Driving change in engineering education at a global scale

Bevlee A. Watford: A career dedicated to inclusion

photo of Bevlee WatfordBevlee Watford has been at Virginia Tech since 1992. Her work has focused on the inclusion and success of underrepresented students pursuing engineering undergraduate degrees and the larger engineering student population at Virginia Tech. As part of this mission, Dr. Watford founded and currently runs the Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity. She has also served as the Program Director for the Broadening Participation in Engineering program at the National Science Foundation.

This profile was authored by Timothy H. Hellickson, Tufts University, based on an interview with Dr. Watford in 2014. Continue reading Bevlee A. Watford: A career dedicated to inclusion

Richard Felder: Traveling off the well-paved career path

FelderThis profile captures the pivotal points in the career trajectory of a conventional chemical engineering professor who left the beaten path to follow his passion for engineering education…and has never looked back. It also includes his opinion on keys to education transformation in engineering education and concludes with advice to graduate students. This profile is written for audiences that range from those considering getting involved with engineering education to those already working in some part of the proverbial “trenches.” Anyone along this spectrum has the potential to benefit from the unconventional experiences of this remarkable pioneer, Dr. Richard Felder.

This profile was authored by Jeremi London, Purdue University, based on an interview with Dr. Felder in 2014. Continue reading Richard Felder: Traveling off the well-paved career path

Charles Yokomoto: From technical research to engineering education

Charles YokomotoCharles Yokomoto has worked at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) for more than 30 years. His research gradually changed from technical research to engineering education. He worked on projects involving the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator model and other psychological scales to investigate learning styles of students at his institution. He was involved in the ABET accreditation process at his institution and participated in different projects involving learning styles throughout his career.

This profile was authored by Joel Alejandro Mejia, Utah State University, based on an interview with Dr. Yokomoto in 2014. Continue reading Charles Yokomoto: From technical research to engineering education