Day 2

Morning Break w/continental breakfast Exhibitors

Engineering without Calculus! Dream or Reality Math requirement redefined!

This session explores the essential role of calculus in mechanical engineering education, focusing on balancing its importance without discouraging potential engineers. We will rethink calculus requirements to attract diverse talent while maintaining a solid mathematical foundation. Additionally, we will discuss innovative approaches to teaching calculus with technology and AI and propose strategies for redefining and adjusting math curricula to enhance accessibility.

Speakers:
• Carmen Cioc, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology, The University of Toledo
• Mohammad Zahraee, Ph.D., P.E., Dean, College of Technology, Purdue University Northwest
• Raju Dandu Ph.D., Professor, Kansas State University Bulk Solids Innovation Center
• Ahmad Fayed, Ph.D., Department Head, Industrial and Engineering technology, Southeastern Louisiana University

Moderators: Ahmad Fayed, Ph.D. and Michele Miller, Ph.D.

Awards Presentation

A formal presentation and notable acknowledgements honoring award recipients of the ASME Edwin F. Church Medal, the Donald N. Zwiep Innovation in Education Award and ASME MEDHEC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award. Short presentations will be given.

Speakers:
• Joseph J. Rencis, Ph.D., Associate Dean of the School of Engineering and Professor, College of Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
• Guillermo Aguilar, Ph.D., Department Head, James and Ada Forsyth Professor, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University
• Tahira Reid Smith, Ph.D., Arthur L. Glenn Professor of Engineering Education Associate, Department Head for Inclusive Research and Education, The Pennsylvania State University

Moderator: Pierre Larochelle, Ph.D.

Break

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
(Concurrent session)

Current Challenges in ME & MET

ME and MET department leaders face a multitude of challenges that might include declining enrollments, recruiting of faculty and students, increasing start-up packages, service demands, mentoring junior faculty, and equipping labs of the future. Participants will be organized into affinity groups to share ideas and identify strategies to mitigate these challenges. After the session concludes, a summary document will be prepared and shared with all MEEd 2025 attendees.

Moderators: Pierre Larochelle, Ph.D. and Karim Muci-Kuchler, Ph.D.

Experiential Learning with Generative AI & eXtended Reality (XR)

Skills gap is a major problem in advanced manufacturing and many other fields. The problem is further exacerbated by shortage of skilled instructors, rapid technological advances and an aging workforce. This talk will present a broad overview of the landscape of generative AI and eXtended Reality technologies with a focus on how they can help engineering department heads deliver experiential learning opportunities to students in engaging, affordable and scalable ways.

Speaker: Rajesh Jha, Founder and CEO, SimInsights Inc.

Moderator: Kathleen Kosmoski, Director, Workforce Development, ASME

Lunch & Visit Exhibitors

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM
(Concurrent session)

Digital Twins in Mechanical Engineering

Speakers:
• Daniel R. Isaacs, CTO and GM: Digital Twin Consortium, Chief Strategy Officer, Object Management Group
• Arash Hassanpour, Lead Application Engineer, Ansys, Inc.
• Azad M Madni, Ph.D., Professor of Astronautics, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California

Moderators: Karim Muci-Kuchler, Ph.D. and Rungun Nathan, Ph.D.

Building Tomorrow's Engineers Today: (Early) Industry Partnerships to Enhance Student Success

Strengthening partnerships with industry to provide real-world, hands-on, design-and-build projects will not only better prepare students for contemporary engineering challenges but also promote innovation. By increasing engagement and retention in ME/MET programs, these initiatives seek to address industry workforce needs. This session will explore current approaches and innovations at community colleges and four-year institutions aimed at fostering design thinking skills in students through industry partnerships.

Speakers:
• Sam Meleika, Ph.D., Engineering Faculty, Community College of Aurora
• Eric T. Sunada, Principal Engineer/Thermal Technologist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
• Regina Vrikkis, Ph.D., Teaching Associate Professor, UNC Charlotte

Moderator: Yiheng Wang, Ph.D., Orlando M. Ayala, Ph.D. and Harish Cherukuri, Ph.D.

Mechanical Engineering Education in the Time of AI

This session explores how AI is transforming mechanical engineering education, focusing on challenges and opportunities related to academic integrity, productivity, and curriculum design. Attendees will gain practical insights into preparing students for an AI-driven future while maintaining academic rigor.

Speakers:
• Mehdi Vahab, Ph.D., Academic Manager for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, MathWorks
• Harish Cherukuri, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, University of North Carolina Charlotte
• Jonathan Cagan, Ph.D., David and Susan Coulter Head of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
• Ahmad Fayed, Ph.D., Department Head, Industrial and Engineering technology, Southeastern Louisiana University

Moderator: Ahmad Fayed, Ph.D. and Harish Cherukuri, Ph.D.

Townhall and Closing Remarks