2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

From Compliance to Value Creation: Transforming an Engineering Course through the Entrepreneurial Mindset

Presented at Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation Division (ENT) Technical Session 9

Engineering curricula that focus primarily on technical design are necessary but insufficient in a rapidly changing world. Graduates must also develop an entrepreneurial mindset (EM) that enables them to leverage their technical skills to identify opportunities and create value for stakeholders and society. This paper presents a case study of transforming an upper-division Construction Engineering course into an EM-rich learning experience. Supported by an Engineering Unleashed Faculty Fellowship, the course—retitled Quality Management and Construction Communication—was redesigned around the idea that quality is not only defect prevention but a disciplined search for opportunity and value creation, emphasizing the KEEN 3Cs of Curiosity, Connections, and Creating Value. Four integrated assignments operationalized this shift: (1) a KEEN Curiosity Library activity linking diverse readings to engineering practice; (2) a structured “future of construction” exploration to practice creative foresight; (3) real-world failure analyses to connect risk assessment and resilience; and (4) peer-teaching presentations on technical standards to build professional communication. Assessment combined pre/post surveys, rubric-based evaluations, and student reflections. Preliminary results indicate measurable growth in curiosity, systems thinking, and appreciation of quality as value creation. Qualitative feedback revealed greater engagement, improved communication, and deeper understanding of how technical excellence contributes to societal impact. The paper discusses design rationale, assessment tools, and lessons learned to help other faculty embed entrepreneurial-mindset outcomes into existing engineering courses without sacrificing technical rigor. The findings demonstrate a scalable model for transforming traditional courses into platforms for creativity, professional growth, and value creation.

Authors

Dr. Mostafa Batouli http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8092-4187 The Citadel [biography]

Dr. Mostafa Batouli is an Associate Professor of Civil and Construction Engineering at The Citadel. He earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Florida International University and holds two master’s degrees—one in Civil Engineering/Construction Engineering and Management and another in Public Administration—as well as a Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Dr. Batouli is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in South Carolina. He also earned the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2020. He teaches a broad range of courses in civil engineering, construction engineering, and project management. His teaching philosophy focuses on inspiring students to think critically and ethically while developing the professional judgment necessary to lead effectively. In recognition of his teaching excellence, he received The Citadel’s Harry Saxe Teaching Award in 2022, based on student nominations and evaluations.

Dr. Batouli’s research has produced over 40 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications, as well as several research reports. His work has received multiple distinctions, including a Third-Place Best Poster Award at the ASCE Construction Research Congress and a Dissertation Year Fellowship from Florida International University in 2016.

An active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Dr. Batouli has played a leading role in developing South Carolina’s Infrastructure Report Card. For his sustained service and professional contributions, he received ASCE South Carolina’s highest honor, the LeTellier Cup, recognizing lifetime achievement in the civil engineering profession.
Dr. Eva Andrijcic Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology [biography]

Eva Andrijcic serves as an Associate Professor of Engineering Management at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Her major interests are in the areas of risk analysis and management, and organizational change management.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on July 31, 2026

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