2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This work presents ongoing efforts to embed sustainability and societal impact into the Industrial Engineering (IE) program at Quinnipiac University (QU). QU's strategic emphasis on sustainability aligns with its commitment to community engagement and industry partnerships, providing fertile ground for the integration of sustainability principles into academic programs.
In the Fall 2023 semester, the Lean Systems Engineering course was restructured to emphasize sustainability, integrating Lean Green examples and sustainability components throughout the curriculum. Guest speakers, including experts in Lean Green initiatives, enriched class discussions, providing real-world insights. Class activities, such as presentations and discussions, further reinforced the connection between Lean principles and sustainability goals. Additionally, a final project with a biofuel company offered students hands-on experience in streamlining sustainable processes.
Feedback from both students and the industry partner was positive, affirming the effectiveness of integrating sustainability into the curriculum. Student responses indicated a significant shift in their perception of the role of engineers in addressing environmental challenges. Statistical analysis revealed a meaningful impact on student attitudes towards sustainability.
Looking ahead, the author is spearheading initiatives to build on this momentum, including the formation of a sustainability consortium and pursuing grant opportunities to support sustainability-focused projects. The evolution of the IE curriculum at QU reflects a commitment to producing engineers equipped to address the complex challenges of a sustainable future.