Missouri University of Science and Technology
Chancellor
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Past President, Control Systems Society
At ABET:
- Member, Engineering Accreditation Commission (2011- )
- Joined ABET as a volunteer: 2002
Why did you volunteer for ABET?
I first organized an ASEE conference workshop on ABET Criteria 2000 in the mid-1990s. The subject was intriguing to me. Through this experience, I realized that engineering was leading the nation in outcomes-based assessment and that there was real opportunity for innovation. I became the ABET 2000 Coordinator at my institution and participated in evaluator training to more fully understand the process. Once trained and invested in the process, it was only a matter of time before I put my knowledge and leadership experience to work assisting other programs as well as those at my university.
In what ways do you think your participation has an impact
on your profession?
My participation as a program evaluator and team chair, combined with my leadership experience at the college and university levels and in professional engineering organizations, has benefited the profession in a variety of ways. For five years I was an active member of the IEEE CEAA (Committee on Engineering Accreditation Activities), which helps select, train, and mentor IEEE evaluators and connects IEEE with ABET to continue to improve the accreditation process. My experience in IEEE at the institution level and as a technical society president provides distinctive insight in integrating educational and technical perspectives. I now serve on the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET representing IEEE. The clear take-away is that ABET really is all about the engineering profession taking a leadership role in shaping future engineers.
How does your volunteer work help students?
Students are our future, and improvements in their programs and preparation in engineering benefits us all. My volunteer work helps connect the educational experience to the profession in a very real way and keeps students at the center of all we do. And, as a person typically underrepresented in engineering, my interactions with students and programs in such a formative way helps in broadening diversity.
What are some of the qualifications that make a good ABET volunteer?
Qualifications that make a good ABET volunteer include: an openness to new ideas; a curiosity about innovative practices; a commitment to helping improve engineering education; a strong desire to learn from others and to help others learn; and a personal investment in the engineering profession as key to economic vitality and enhanced quality of life.
In what ways has your volunteer work for ABET been beneficial
to you, personally and/or professionally?
My experience with ABET has provided me with a strong foundation in outcomes based assessment, and this has been instrumental in my participation in regional and national discussions regarding higher education accountability. I enjoy working with professional colleagues teamed together with universities, all committed to making the educational experience better and better. As an evaluator, I value working with partners from other disciplines and accreditation commissions who bring perspectives from academe, government, and industry. As a Team Chair, I have the opportunity to work closely with administrators, faculty, and staff to foster an environment that facilitates continuous improvement. As well, the opportunity to visit strong programs around the nation and internationally adds to my own understanding, professional development, and career progression.