Committee Meetings: March 22-23, 2023
New Department Head Workshop: March 22, 2023
Summit Program: March 23-25, 2023
Pre-conference Workshop
Wednesday, March 22
9:00 – 12:00pm: New Department Head Workshop
Workshop Organizer:
Nader Jalili, Dean, Lyle School of Engineering (as of March 2023), Southern Methodist University (SMU) and former ME Department Head at University of Alabama SMU
This interactive workshop is designed to provide current and future department heads and chairs with information from experienced department heads on topics related to leading and managing departments.
More Info
Summit Opening
Thursday, March 23
12:00 – 2:00pm: Opening Luncheon
Welcome and Opening Remarks:
Thomas Costabile, P.E., Executive Director/CEO, ASME
Michele Miller, Professor and Associate Dean of Engineering, Campbell University
Rungun Nathan, Professor and Mechanical Engineering Department Program Chair, Penn State Berks
1:00 – 2:00pm: Opening Keynote: Innovation - An Agent for Societal Change and for Educating a New Breed of Mechanical Engineer
Speaker:
Jonathan Cagan, David and Susan Coulter Head of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
As we embrace the 4th industrial revolution, technological capabilities accelerate and meet needs not thought possible only a few years ago. Universities must prepare the next generation of mechanical engineers to drive change by understanding, adapting and creating these new technologies. At the same time technology is not enough. The technology needs to provide real value to society at large - addressing societal problems, embracing their adaptation, and transforming the norm into something fundamentally better. This talk includes:
- Exploring innovation as a foundation for educating a new breed of engineer……and taking a look at a formal process for innovation from an industry perspective, and "innovation thinking" within the classroom perspective.
- At the same time academic research creates new technology paradigms; we will demonstrate how the methods for innovation apply to emerging research - taking research from the laboratory to the marketplace through an innovation framing.
- But also, how to take innovation from the research lab to the engineering curriculum. Examples will include AI/ML technologies, mixed reality paradigms, manufacturing futures, and softbotics.
2:00 – 2:15pm - BREAK
2:15 - 2:45pm: Briefing I: ASME and Autodesk work – FMMR
ASME and Autodesk conducted a research study from August 2021 through May 2022 that investigated and identified the future workflows and skills needed for mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, and CNC machinist roles over the next decade. Join us as we discuss the results of this 3-phase project and the impact it has on the future of advanced manufacturing workforce.
Speaker:
Simon Leigh, Senior Manager Education Strategy, Autodesk Education Experiences
3:00 – 4:30pm: Plenary I: Emergent Global Trends in Engineering Education
Highlighting novel engineering education approaches and the impact of using them in the engineering curriculum.
The practice of engineering has been at the core of civilizational transformation. New technologies as well as engineering systems and products have evolved rapidly and are at the center, not only in sectors related to food, water, hygiene, clothing, housing, defense, energy, manufacturing, and transportation, but also in healthcare, education, entertainment, finance, governance, etc. Because of this, as well as the current emphasis in Industry 4.0 and Net-Zero Transition technologies, engineering education remains one of the most attractive options for students across the world. However, future engineers need to be prepared to handle the unforeseen projects and technologies of the future. This requires rethinking engineering education to develop the competencies that engineering graduates will need to face those challenges. Thus, to continue to serve at the forefront of innovation and technology, engineering programs need to consider emergent global trends in engineering education.
Panelists:
José Carlos Miranda-Valenzuela, Dean, Engineering & Sciences, Technologico de Monterrey (Mexico)
Hong Yee Low, Associate Professor and Head of Pillar, Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design
Christopher Lee, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Olin College of Engineering
John E. Mitchell, Professor, Communications Systems Engineering, University College London (UK)
Orlando Ayala, Associate Professor, Engineering Technology, Old Dominion University (Moderator)
Karim H. Muci-Kuchler, Professor and Mechanical Engineering Academic Program Coordinator, Texas State University (Moderator)
4:45 – 6:00pm: Poster Session: Innovations in Mechanical Engineering Education
A forum for ME and MET departments to present the innovative things that they are doing in areas such as curriculum, student and faculty recruiting/retention, faculty development, co-curricular programs, mentoring, and more. It is an opportunity to showcase successful initiatives, learn from each other, and build community around shared challenges. If you have questions about the poster session, email us at engineeringeducation@asme.org.
Reserve a Poster Board Here
Deadline for submission is March 1, 2023.
6:00 – 8:00pm: Networking Reception
Friday, March 24
9:00 – 9:30am: Briefing II: Student Mental Health
A discussion of the impact of culture in engineering programs and an exploration of ways to promote a healthy learning environment for all students.
Students are suffering from more mental health challenges than ever before, underscoring the urgent need to increase our understanding of student mental health to develop proactive support. Limited research has focused on mental health in engineering programs, but research suggests that engineering students may experience higher rates of mental health challenges while simultaneously being less likely to seek help. Department leaders, faculty, and staff play a role in perpetuating or dismantling the perception that a high stress culture is necessary for success in engineering.
Speaker:
Karin Jensen, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering & Engineering Education Research, University of Michigan
9:45 – 11:15am: Plenary II: Adapting to a Hybrid World
Even though online learning and hybrid workspaces have been around for quite some time, the pandemic acted as a catalyst to change the higher education landscape accelerating them.
Data has indicated that student interest in online learning has increased substantially in the past two years, and it is predicted that this trend will continue to grow in the next several years. Furthermore, there have been continuous efforts to bring new technologies to enhance the teaching-learning process in the classroom, such as mobile learning, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, etc. So now that the peak of the pandemic is over, how do we adapt to a hybrid working and learning space that takes advantage of all that technology? Having the right infrastructure, staff, and resources to support online or technology-driven learning and work are paramount as well as counting with the policies, training, services, and quality assurance measures in place or under development to assure faculty competency and student success in the hybrid environment.
Speakers:
Marsha C. Lovett, Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning Innovation, Carnegie Mellon University
Khoi Nguyen, Head, Emerging Technologies, Texas State University
Jim Morgan, Director, Engineering, Charles Sturt University Australia
Karim H. Muci-Kuchler, Professor and Mechanical Engineering Academic Program Coordinator, Texas State University (Moderator)
Orlando Ayala, Associate Professor, Engineering Technology, Old Dominion University (Moderator)
11:15-12:00pm - BREAK
12:00 – 1:20pm: ASME Engineering Education Luncheon & Awards Presentation
A formal presentation will be held during the luncheon to recognize engineering education award recipients of the Edwin F. Church Medal, and the Donald N. Zwiep Innovation in Education Award. Brief presentations and other notable acknowledgements will be made.
Speakers:
Michele Miller, Professor and Associate Dean of Engineering, Campbell University
Volker Sick, Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Director, Global CO2 Initiative; Faculty Director, Center for Entrepreneurship
Pierre Larochelle, Head, Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota Mines & Technology
1:30 – 2:15pm Briefing III: Community College Partnerships
Under normal circumstances, community/technical college transfer students infuse junior-year enrollments and boost BS graduation rates. In the past two years, however, enrollment has been down at many engineering schools. The enrollment dip may not recover quickly as population trends show a decline in 18-year-olds, yet the demand for engineers is not declining.
Community colleges present a pathway for drawing a higher percentage of students to engineering and engineering technology. For a lower cost, at a community college, students can explore career options and complete the math and science courses needed for an engineering degree or earn Associate Degrees in Engineering Science or Engineering Technology.
An additional engagement is the university partnering directly in experiential learning projects with community/technical college students. This experience has university and community/technical college students educating one another, developing professionally, and demonstrating the pathway from 2-year to 4-year schooling and beyond. The transition from community college to a 4-year degree program is not without obstacles. This session looks at innovative partnerships that make the transition feasible for more students.
Speakers:
David DeSousa, Associate Director, Engineering Academies, Texas A&M University
Laine Mears, BMW Chair, Automotive Engineering & Director, THINKER Program
2:15-2:30pm - BREAK
2:30 – 4:00pm: Plenary III: Creating Interdisciplinary Programs
Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE)requires a drastically different educational approach, with students taking courses from disciplines that traditionally may not be considered under an engineering program. Engineering that uses an interdisciplinary method has advantages for both employers and engineers.
The session will examine the developing, implementing, and sustaining interdisciplinary programs in ME and MET departments.
Speakers:
Timothy Jacobs, Head, Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering, Texas A&M University
Mary Pilotte, Professor, Engineering Practice & Co-Director of the Fusion Studio for Entertainment & Engineering, Purdue University
Ryan Krauss, Chair, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Grand Valley State University
Rungun Nathan, Professor and Mechanical Engineering Department Program Chair, Penn State Berks, (Moderator)
4:30 – 6:00pm: Open Mic Networking Reception
Discuss and share your experience, perspectives practices and latest news on a variety of administrative topics, announcements, and planned activities within ME/MET Department Heads community. The session will discuss:
- Education Reform in ME Departments
- Challenges and Opportunities in ME/AEM Departments
- Other related topics suggested by participants
Speaker:
Nader Jalili, Dean, Lyle School of Engineering (as of March 2023), Southern Methodist University (SMU) and former ME Department Head at University of Alabama
(Dinner on Your Own)
Saturday, March 25
9:00 – 10:00am: Briefing IV: ABET Update
Speaker:
Joe Sussman, Chief Accreditation and Chief Information Officer, ABET
10:00 – 10:45am: Engineering Education Town Hall
Speaker:
Michele Miller, Professor and Associate Dean of Engineering, Campbell University
10:45-11:00am – BREAK
11:00 – 11:45am: Briefing V: An Introduction to KEEN and Entrepreneurial Engineering
An introduction to the Kern Foundation and their Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN). KEEN's mission is to "to graduate engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset so they can create personal, economic, and societal value through a lifetime of meaningful work". We'll discuss the Kern Foundation, the KEEN network, what an entrepreneurial mindset is, provide an overview of the resources and opportunities that KEEN presents to mechanical engineering departments, and share how to get involved.
Speaker:
Pierre Larochelle, Head, Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota Mines & Technology
11:45 – 12:00pm: Conference Wrap-Up & Close