Day 1

Opening Session and Keynote

Opening Remarks:
• Thomas Costabile, P.E., FASME, Executive Director/CEO
• Yannis C. Yortsos, Ph.D., Dean, USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the Zohrab Kaprielian Dean’s Chair in Engineering

Keynote Speaker: Erik K. Antonsson, Ph.D., P.E., NAE, Founder and CTO, Streetscope, Inc.

A Mechanical Engineering Career: The Future of Creative Problem Solving
Illustrated by the career path of one very fortunate Mechanical Engineer, Dr. Antonsson will summarize how the creative problem-solving skills taught in an effective curriculum enable engineers to tackle problems across an enormous range of applications and scales.

Making the PIE Bigger: Collaborative Strategies Between Community Colleges and Universities to Enhance Engineering Enrollment and Student Success

This session will explore how community colleges and four-year universities can collaborate to increase overall enrollment in mechanical engineering programs and enhance student success. It will address challenges such as curricular misalignment, transfer agreements, and competition for students. The discussion will focus on creating partnerships that benefit both institutions and students through coordination rather than competition.

Speaker: Oscar Barton, Jr., PhD., PE, Dean, Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering, Morgan State University

Moderator: Yiheng Wang, Ph.D

Update on ASME Engineering Education & Outreach and Student Engagement

Speakers:
• Geraldine Gooding, D.Eng., Director, Engineering Education and Outreach, ASME
• Ty Booker, Director, Programming and Engagement Section Operations, ASME

Lunch

Reimagining Robotics Education

The field of robotics is seeing an explosion in applications and capabilities.  But the traditional view of a robot - a large-scale mostly anthropomorphic device that can be programmed to adaptably plan and follow a path to accomplish a task - is transforming.  Robots that are at the nano scale, that are soft and flexible, that are biologically hybrid, or that are modular or adaptable, all redefine expectations of the robots of the future.  Mechanical Engineering must be taught the fundamentals and skills to be able to lead the design and manufacture of these new and yet-to-come robots.  This session will bring together a panel of experts who are redefining engineering education for this new frontier of robots.

Speakers:
• Satyandra K. Gupta, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing, University of Southern California
• Michael T. Tolley, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and director of the Bioinspired Robotics and Design Lab, Jacobs School of Engineering, UC San Diego
• Victoria Webster-Wood, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University

Moderators: Jonathan Cagan, Ph. D. and Rungun Nathan, Ph.D.

Building Resilience: Addressing Mental Health in Mechanical Engineering Education

This session will explore the critical role of mental health in academic success and career development. Expert speakers will discuss the demanding culture of engineering and its impact on student wellness and offer insights from their own mental health journeys. Attendees will gain practical tools to promote resilience and well-being among faculty and students, fostering a healthier, more inclusive learning environment.

Speakers:
• Andrew Danowitz, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Computer Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• Jessica Deters, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Moderator: Michele Miller, Ph.D.

Annual Survey of ME/MET Departments
This session will present the findings of departmental benchmarking data for 2024.

Speaker: Leigh McCue-Weil, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, George Mason University

Equipping Tomorrow's Engineers: Integrating Sustainability into Engineering Education

The engineering field stands at a pivotal juncture, confronting escalating challenges posed by technological advancement and climate change. Despite the demonstrated need for a prepared workforce, there is a notable shortage of engineering students and professionals equipped with the necessary skills to tackle complex sustainability issues. Research projections suggest that by 2030, technological advancements and the transition to green economies will profoundly transform the global labor market, with skill deficiencies emerging as significant barriers to business adaptation.

Addressing these challenges requires a sustainability transformation in engineering education. This session, presented by ASME and Engineering for One Planet (EOP), will delve into the current sustainability skill gaps and showcase effective strategies to support educators in implementing curricular reforms. Participants will explore case studies, resources and communities of practice dedicated to fostering student and faculty changemakers.

Speaker:
• Cynthia Anderson, Sustainability Consultant, Alula Consulting and Strategy Consultant for Engineering for One Planet (EOP)

Five at 5

The Five @ 5 session is a forum for ME and MET department leaders to present on the innovative practices being implemented at their institutions. Topics might include curriculum development, student recruitment/retention, faculty recruitment/retention, faculty development, co-curricular programs, mentoring, and more. Each speaker will have exactly 5 minutes to present. This is an opportunity to showcase successful initiatives, learn from each other, and build community around shared challenges. Must be a registered MEEd attendee to participate.

• Learn More About This Opportunity to Present

Speaker: Leigh McCue-Weil, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, George Mason University

Tour of USC Lab

To reserve your spot for the tour, please sign up onsite at the registration table and then meet at our tour host in the foyer near registration right after the Five@5 session.

80 spots available.

• Learn More About the Tour

Facilitator: Paul Ronney, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California