2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

1. Ms. Rachel Sharpe University of Colorado Boulder [biography]

   Rachel Sharpe is a Senior Engineering Projects Consultant at the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program at the University of Colorado Boulder. Rachel’s work as a senior engineer has allowed her to collaborate with faculty members across seven departments, contributing her expertise to the development and successful implementation of over thirty hands-on lab activities. Rachel has overseen the integration of material testing and prototyping equipment into both labs and coursework. She is pursuing her Ph.D. in Engineering Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research interests include identity development in engineering education, student voice and participation in engineering education, and pedagogical strategies for enhancing retention in engineering education.

2. Dr. Heidi G. Loshbaugh http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8163-0140 University of Colorado Boulder [biography]

   Heidi G. Loshbaugh, Ph.D., is passionate about higher education’s role in the public good. She has taught, conducted research, and served as a college administrator with a keen focus on equity. As a community college dean, she was PI for a $3.5M US Dept. of Ed. award to transform STEM education. Her implementation of math corequisite instruction led the B & M Gates Foundation to fund an ROI study that revealed the time and cost savings for students, the cost effectiveness for the college to implement the reform, and the dramatic improvement in completing college-level math for BIPOC, first-generation, and low-in come students. She consults with states and institutions to improve student success in college, particularly with Complete College America (CCA). At University of Colorado Boulder, Heidi is a Senior Research Associate in Ethnography & Evaluation Research, a center focused on STEM education. She recently was the project lead in transforming teaching evaluation practices in the College of Arts & Sciences. A fourth-generation Coloradoan and educator, she lives in Denver with her husband, two college-aged children, and rescue dog.

3. Mr. Kai Amey University of Colorado Boulder [biography]

   Kai Amey is the Director of Engineering Education and Operations & Associate Program Director of the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program in the College of Engineering & Applied Science at CU Boulder. He brings over 10 years of experience developing and implementing hands-on engineering education programming. Kai holds a master's degree in business administration with a specialization in business strategy from CU Denver and a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from CU Boulder. He is currently pursuing his doctoral studies in the School of Education & Human Development at the CU Denver with a focus on higher education leadership. His research interests include educational access and equity, particularly as it pertains to historically marginalized students in engineering.

4. Karen C Crouch University of Colorado Boulder [biography]

   Karen Crouch, Instructional Design and Technology Consultant at the University of Colorado Boulder. She holds a master's in education with a specialization in international and comparative education from Northcentral University and a bachelor's degree in international affairs from CU Boulder. She brings 15 years of experience of working in education at international and K-12 levels and has been at CU Boulder for over 10 years designing learning experiences and programs, teaching, and researching technology. Before joining Arts & Science Support of Education Through Technology (ASSETT) at the Center for Teaching & Learning, Karen was faculty at CU’s International English Center and worked at the Anderson Language and Technology Center as a Professional Research Assistant with a focus on immersive technology for language and culture learning. She is passionate about inclusive pedagogy and UDL, supporting students and faculty, exploring new technology, and getting creative!

5. Ms. Janet Yowell http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8013-5535 University of Colorado Boulder [biography]

   Janet serves as the Director of Strategic Community College STEM Initiatives for the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder. In this capacity, she develops systems-level programming to positively affect two- to four-year transfer pathways in STEM (particularly engineering) for the college. She currently works with 30 community colleges nationwide (including in Colorado) to better prepare developmental math community college students for transfer into STEM bachelor's degree programs or entry into the STEM workforce.

6. Mr. Nick Stites University of Colorado Boulder [biography]

   Nick Stites is the Director of the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program at CU Boulder and an instructor with the Integrated Design Engineering program. Dr. Stites is the principal investigator (PI) of the Denver-Metro Engineering Consortium, which is a partnership between local community colleges and universities to support engineering pathways for transfer students. He is also involved with ASPIRE, an NSF Engineering Research Center that is focused on developing the technology and workforce for electrifying the nation's transportation system. Dr. Stites earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering (BS Colorado State University, MS Purdue University) and Engineering Education (PhD Purdue University). His research interests include the development of novel pedagogical methods to teach core engineering courses and leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences and broaden access to engineering education. He has experience as a practicing engineer and has taught at the university and community-college levels.

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