Session Description

Almost everyone comes into contact with the products of mechanical engineering on a daily basis, but very few people—including some engineers themselves—can provide a succinct explanation of what mechanical engineering is. Even ASME, our field’s professional society, offers no written description of mechanical engineering as a field. Join this session to hear our panel discuss the field of Mechanical engineering as we seek to better describe the diversity of our field.

Moderated by

1. Lt. Col. Brian J Novoselich P.E.

Moderated by

1. Dr. Adrian Rodriguez

Session Description

Minorities in Engineering Division (MIND) Business Meeting

Session Description

Free ticketed event

For those interested in: Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology

Papers Presented

1. Application of FLASH to Forecast Student Engagement in Online Engineering Courses [view paper]
   Dr. Ghazal Barari (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) and Dr. Brian Sanders (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide)

Session Description

Business meeting for the New Engineering Educators Division (NEE); discussion of important division matters as well as elections for leadership positions

For those interested in: New Members

Session Description

This session explores how community engagement can drive innovation in education, technology, and infrastructure. It emphasizes the importance of empowering communities through education and innovation to address real-world challenges. Key topics include:
(1) Community-engaged design and engineering education
(2) Virtual learning environments for pre-college students
(3) Innovation ecosystems for water access and sustainability
(4) Integrating real-world projects into academic curricula
(5) Building inclusive infrastructure to ensure equitable opportunities for all

For those interested in: Academia-Industry Connections, Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology, New Members, and Pre-College

Papers Presented

1. Bridging the Gap: Integrating Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Courses into University Curricula [view paper]
   Dr. Pierre Rahme (Lebanese American University), Dr. George E Nasr (Lebanese American University), Dr. Abbas A. Tarhini (Lebanese American University), Michel Elkhoury (Lebanese American University), and Evan Fakhoury (Lebanese American University)
2. Designing Electric Vehicle Infrastructures and Opportunities to Benefit All Residents [Traditional Research Paper] [view paper]
   Polly Parkinson (Utah State University), Emma Mecham (Utah State University), Fawn Groves (Utah State University), and Dr. Ivonne Santiago (University of Texas at El Paso)
3. Empowering Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Cutting-Edge Curriculum Through the VIP+ Program [view paper]
   Dr. Pierre Rahme (Lebanese American University), Dr. George E Nasr (Lebanese American University), Dr. Abbas A. Tarhini (Lebanese American University), Michel Elkhoury (Lebanese American University), and Evan Fakhoury (Lebanese American University)

Session Description

These papers focus on the impact on various subgroups of faculty and/or students.

For those interested in: Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology

Papers Presented

1. Y(Our) story: A collaborative autoethnographic reflection of a faculty community of practice to promote equity-oriented engineering education [view paper]
   Dr. Jay Mann (University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign), Dr. Ali Ansari (University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign), Wayne L Chang (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), Prof. Caroline Cvetkovic (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), Prof. Holly M Golecki (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), and Prof. Ramez Hajj (University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign)

Session Description

This special session will celebrate the work and journey’s of engineering instructional faculty who have been pursuing a portion of their vision for change in engineering education through the completion of an innovation project and participation in the AMPLIFY Institute.

Session Description

Job growth, an aging workforce, and the mismatch between available and in-demand skills are
leading to an unmet need for engineers. Additionally, the engineering workforce continues to
suffer from the stagnant diversity deficit and is struggling to attract Generation Z to the field.
Among students who show an interest in engineering during high school, only around 13% go on to
complete a university degree in engineering.

This session will share insights and findings from an NSF-funded study conducted to develop a clear understanding of opportunities to reshape public perceptions of engineering, ... (continued)

Speakers

1. Bonnie Zimmerman

   Merit

   Bonnie Zimmerman leads strategy at Merit, a purpose-driven insights and branding agency. With a BS in Chemistry and an MS in Materials Science and Engineering, she began her career in applied research before expanding into audience insights and human-centered design.
   Blending analytics, creative problem-solving, and human experience, she uncovers deep audience insights to drive awareness and action. For over 14 years, she has led initiatives in STEM education, healthcare equity, workforce development, and social impact—partnering with organizations committed to building a more just and equitable world.

2. PJ Boardman

   MathWorks

   P.J. Boardman is the Global Director of STEM Outreach and Workforce Development at
   MathWorks managing a team responsible for catalyzing, engaging, and inspiring the next
   generation of scientists and engineers to bridge the STEM gap and prepare the workforce of
   tomorrow. PJ’s team identifies, initiates, and supports scalable programs to connect students
   and educators with training, content, and technology to advance their STEM initiatives. She is
   on the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, of the American Society for Engineering
   Education Chair of (ASEE) and the VP of Institutional ... (continued)

3. Dr. Christine M Cunningham

   Museum of Science

   Dr. Christine Cunningham is the Senior Vice President of STEM Learning at the Museum of Science in Boston. She is the founding director of Youth Engineering Solutions (YES) and Engineering is Elementary (EiE), which offer free, research-based engineering, computer science, and STEM curricula and professional learning resources for preK-8 youth and their educators. Christine is a member of the National Academy of Education, a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education, and has received numerous awards including the Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education.

4. Dr. Nick Stites

   University of Colorado Boulder

   Dr. Nick Stites is the Director of the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program at the University of Colorado Boulder and serves as an instructor in the Integrated Design Engineering program. He is the principal investigator of Engineering Momentum, a partnership among local community colleges and universities to support transfer student pathways in engineering. In addition, Dr. Stites is involved with ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center focused on developing technology and a skilled workforce to electrify the nation’s transportation system. He earned a B.S. in Mecha ... (continued)

5. Mrs. Alexandra Sharpe

   American Society for Engineering Education

   Alexandra Sharpe is the Director of Education and Career Development at the American Society of Education (ASEE). In this role, she serves as PI and co-PI on 5+ National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded grants and oversees a portfolio of educational programs for engineering educators, including stakeholder convenings, workshops and courses, and webinars. An experienced instructional designer, Alexandra launched ASEE Learning Services in 2020, which offers professional development programming for engineering faculty, students, and staff.
   Alexandra holds an M.A. in Museum Studies from Seton Hall Un ... (continued)

Session Description

EDC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Meeting (Deans Only)

Session Description

"Did you know…
- 1 in 5 LGBTQIA+ students fear for their physical safety on college campuses? 1 in 3 LGBTQIA+ students are made to feel uncomfortable in our classrooms?
- LGBTQIA+ engineering students are more likely than women, underrepresented minorities, and non-LGBTQIA+ peers to report a chilly climate?
- STEM departments are lagging way behind other disciplines in the adoption of LGBTQIA+-inclusive practices?

You can help change this! Safe Zone Workshops are interactive, research-informed workshops for students, faculty, and the professional community, during which participants ... (continued)

For those interested in: Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology

Session Description

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion starts with us. The session aims to answer the questions: What is DEI? Why should I care about it? What work do I need to do to become a more equitable educator? In this workshop, participants will identify ways in which we can expand our awareness through self-analysis. Participants will engage in learning activities that provide an introductory overview of DEI, including reflection on their identities, privileges, biases, spheres of influences, and beliefs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

For those interested in: Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology

Session Description

Architectural Engineering Division (ARCHE) Business Meeting

Session Description

Many engineering disciplines such as Biological Systems Engineering, Food and Bioprocess
Engineering, Ecological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Engineering
include a specific focus on design and / or technological interventions on living systems at
various scales ranging from the organism to ecosystems. In these disciplines, ethical standards
need to be coherent not only with the ethics of engineering but also those of biology, medicine
and/or physical sciences.
This panel aims to gather perspective from experts and foster discussions to gain a better
understanding o ... (continued)

Session Description

This session examines the integration of AI, machine learning, and data-driven approaches in biomedical engineering education. Presentations will explore AI-enhanced instructional strategies, including AI/ML activities for physiology courses and generative AI’s role in instructional labs.

Moderated by

1. Travis Carrell, Uri Feldman, and Dr. Olga Imas

Papers Presented

1. Conducting an International Med-IoT Project under the Innovation-Based Learning Model [view paper]
   Mr. Victor Tsui (University of North Dakota), Mr. Kordell Mitchell Bernaldez Tan (University of North Dakota), and Dr. Enrique Alvarez Vazquez (University of North Dakota)
2. Creating a Predictive Model of Innovation Self-Efficacy Based on Cognitive Dissonance Levels in Innovation-Based Learning Programs [view paper]
   Mercedes Terry (University of North Dakota), Abigail Tubbs (University of North Dakota), Brandon Fugger (University of North Dakota), Blair Dupre (University of North Dakota), Dr. Enrique Alvarez Vazquez (University of North Dakota), and Ryan Striker P.E. (University of North Dakota)