Session Description

Equity, Culture & Social Justice in Education Division (EQUITY) Business Meeting.

Session Description

Engineering is essential to modern society, but the United States faces a critical shortage of engineers. Many students begin to disengage from engineering at an early age, often due to negative experiences with math and a narrow understanding of what engineers do. Research shows that as early as kindergarten, children can develop math anxiety and start to believe that engineering is too challenging or “not for them.” This mindset is often reinforced by adult attitudes and stereotypes. This exploratory project aims to address this issue by examining how engineering concepts can be introduced to c ... (continued)

Speaker

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.

Session Description

Panel Overview
This panel will showcase a groundbreaking national initiative to transform engineering education for neurodiverse students. Representatives from four leading institutions—Vanderbilt University, University of Missouri, University of Connecticut, and Northeastern University—will discuss their collaborative work on the A-SCENE (Autism & Innovation in Science and Engineering Education) grant. The panel will explore how each institution contributes to creating a comprehensive playbook that enables colleges of engineering nationwide to develop neuroinclusive environments and pos ... (continued)

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

Moderated by

1. Dr. Gregory D. Abowd

Speakers

1. Keivan G. Stassun

   Vanderbilt University

   Executive Director, Frist Center for Autism & Innovation, Vanderbilt University. Dr. Stassun leads groundbreaking work in autism and innovation, creating pathways for neurodiverse students in STEM fields through the nationally recognized Frist Center.

2. Marisa Chrysochoou

   University of Missouri - Columbia

   Dean of Engineering, University of Missouri. Dean Chrysochoou brings leadership perspective on integrating neuroinclusive practices across engineering programs and building institutional commitment to supporting all students.

3. Prof. Arash Esmaili Zaghi P.E.

   University of Connecticut

   Professor, College of Engineering, University of Connecticut. Dr. Zaghi contributes expertise in developing research experiences and academic support structures for neurodiverse engineering students.

4. Erik Brenner

   Northeastern University

   Director, Neurodiversity Initiative, College of Engineering, Northeastern University. Dr. Brenner leads Northeastern's Neurodiversity Initiative, leveraging the university's signature co-op program to create successful workplace experiences and long-term career outcomes for neurodivergent students.

Session Description

This interactive workshop will provide participants with information about neuroinclusive teaching and combating ableism in their classrooms. Participants will critique sample lectures demonstrating different degrees of neuroinclusivity. They will also have the opportunity to create their own learning materials based on universal design principles.

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

Session Description

The ASEE Engineering Fellows (E-Fellows) program (NSF Award #2127509), led by Principal Investigator Dr. Jacqueline El-Sayed, provides structured two-year postdoctoral research appointments designed within an intentional, outcome-based experiential framework. Now in its fourth cohort, the program integrates mentored research, cohort engagement, first-year and culminating experiences, and just-in-time professional development to support early-career engineering researchers.

E-Fellows, advisors, and program leadership will share brief technical research highlights spanning diverse engineering dom ... (continued)

Speakers

1. Dr. Jacqueline A. El-Sayed

   Intentional Design Institute

   Dr. Jacqueline El-Sayed is the vice president for academic affairs and professor of mechanical engineering at Marygrove College. She has served as a trustee of the Bloomfield Hills Board of Education since 2011, and as commissioner of the Michigan Truck Safety Commission.

2. Dr. Sarah Marie Deleeuw

   SAE International

   Dr. Sarah DeLeeuw is the Research Projects Director for the American Society for Engineering Education in Washington D.C. She recently completed her PhD at George Mason University in Mathematics Education Leadership with a specialization in Instructional Technology, after completing her master’s and bachelor’s from Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame, respectively.

   Sarah has a passion for teaching at all levels, and while her expertise is in college-level Calculus, her experience ranges from Pre-K to the professional development of teachers. Her teaching career at Purdue led her t ... (continued)

Session Description

"Universities are increasingly expected to advance K–12 outreach, community engagement, broadening participation, and undergraduate workforce preparation—often through separate and uncoordinated efforts. This session presents Future City as a single, integrated engagement model spanning grades 6–16 that enables institutions to address these priorities through one partnership.
At the middle and high school levels, Future City offers a nationally recognized platform for engineering outreach, allowing universities to engage faculty and students as mentors, volunteers, judges, and hosts. These a ... (continued)

Speakers

1. Thea R Sahr

   Thea Sahr, Thea is Executive Director of DiscoverE working exclusively in STEM education. Eventually, the STEM acronym narrowed to engineering and a career was born. She has co-developed a PBS television and outreach campaign (Design Squad). She has led a national research project that helped change the way we present engineering to girls (Engineer Your Life). She has consolidated eight radically different websites into one cohesive destination for 400,000 visitors a year and shaped and implemented programs that reach 5.5 million people annually.

2. Dr. UrLeaka Woodard Newsome

   Tennessee State University

   UrLeaka Newsome, Ph.D., Team Lead, Postsecondary Education, Institute for Research Experiences & Education (IREE), UL Research Institutes. Dr. UrLeaka Newsome is a seasoned educator, researcher, and STEM advocate with a multidisciplinary background in engineering, science education, and data analytics. She currently serves as the Postsecondary Education Team Lead at UL Research Institutes, where she leads initiatives focused on standards education. Dr. Newsome holds a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Georgia and has completed advanced training in data science. Her career span ... (continued)

3. Dr. Jenna P. Carpenter

   Campbell University

   Jenna Carpenter is founding dean and professor of engineering at Campbell University in North Carolina and president-elect of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). An expert on issues impacting the success of women in STEM and on innovative STEM curricula, she has held numerous national leadership roles: with ASEE (vice president), Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN; president), Mathematical Association of America (MAA; first vice president, and chair of the MAA Council on the Profession), Joint Committee on Women in the Mathematical Sciences (cochair), National Academ ... (continued)

Session Description

ASEE HQ Financial Presentation

Session Description

This session will focus on difficult conversations in biomedical engineering education. We define difficult conversations as conversations that are charged, high-stakes, and include power dynamics. In this session, panelists will share best communication practices highlighting conversation structure, skillsets and helpful frameworks. Participants will have an opportunity to apply learnings and attain feedback from panelists in role-playing exercises. After attending this session, participants will increase their awareness of their own communication/conflict style and learn strategies on how to improve how they communicate in the future.

Moderated by

1. Sabia Zehra Abidi

Speakers

1. Sabia Zehra Abidi

   Rice University

   Dr. Abidi’s teaching is focused on medical device design and needs-finding. She has multiple journal publications and patent applications and has been awarded funding from NASA, Brown Foundation, National Institutes of Health and Kern Family Foundation to pursue teaching-based initiatives. She is committed to mentorship and outreach through university initiatives, ASEE, BME-IDEA, IEEE WIE and serving as a judge for Rice-related and Future City competitions. Dr. Abidi will serve as the session lead responsible for organizing content, logistics and communication with panelists. She will be moderating the session. (Contact: sza2@rice.edu)

2. Dr. Brian P. Helmke

   University of Virginia

   Dr. Helmke’s research focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), emphasizing equity mindset, collaborative learning, and undergraduate research experiences. As a faculty consultant with the UVA Center for Teaching Excellence, he has led numerous workshops on inclusive teaching practices both locally and nationally. He also co-leads an NIH-funded curriculum revision that integrates empathy, ethics, and healthcare disparity awareness to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for students. Dr. Helmke is the Program Chair Elect for ASEE BED. Dr. Helmke will serve as one of th ... (continued)

3. Dr. Renata Fortuna Ramos

   Rice University

   Dr. Ramos has taught across a range of hands-on and design-focused courses since 2008. Her leadership encompasses curriculum innovation, faculty development, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and academic program oversight. Widely recognized for her excellence in teaching and mentorship, she has received numerous university and national awards and was elected a fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society in 2022. Dr. Ramos will serve as one of the panelists sharing experiences and successful strategies and helping facilitate in conversation scenarios during the interactive portion of the session. (Contact: rfr1@rice.edu)

4. Dr. Joe Tranquillo

   Bucknell University

   Dr. Tranquillo’s efforts have been pivotal in Bucknell being recognized as a top-ranked undergraduate biomedical engineering program. He has held multiple leadership roles, including Director of the Teaching and Learning Center and co-founder of several innovation and interdisciplinary programs. A fellow of multiple national engineering societies, Joe is widely recognized for his contributions to engineering education, earning numerous teaching awards and leading over 120 workshops worldwide. Dr. Tranquillo will serve as one of the panelists sharing experiences and successful strategies and helpi ... (continued)

Session Description

This meeting is open only to Chemical Engineering Division executive board members.

Moderated by

1. Dr. Taryn Melkus Bayles and Dr. Neha B. Raikar

Session Description

The division board is actively reviewing and contacting guests for this session. As of this request the division is consider five different speakers. The division will meet January 16, 2026. The speaker is expected to be selected shortly after this meeting at which time this session / session request will be updated.

Speaker

1. Prof. Russell K. Marzette Jr.

   The Ohio State University

   Placeholder speaker. Selection in process.