A Message from the Chair-Elect
University of Pittsburgh
The past three months have brought significant and challenging changes to our academic landscape — from budget cuts and hiring freezes to the cancellation of conference travel, the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and growing uncertainty around tariffs. Campus closures and shifting priorities have made this a particularly unsettling time to be in academia.
Yet, amidst this turbulence, I hope we can refocus on what continues to make our work worthwhile and impactful: our students. As the semester draws to a close, let’s take time to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments. Whether they’re heading to graduate school, starting a new job, beginning a summer internship, co-op, or REU, each step forward marks a meaningful milestone worth honoring.
I’m also very much looking forward to seeing many of you at the annual conference — a time to reconnect, share knowledge, and draw inspiration from one another. This year’s theme, “Engineering Educators Bringing the World Together,” is especially timely. It underscores the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing as we prepare future engineers to tackle increasingly complex global challenges.
I’m deeply grateful to all our members who volunteered their time to review abstracts and papers and offer thoughtful feedback. A special thank you to Chris Barr for curating an excellent technical program and awards banquet, and to Janie Brennan for her steadfast leadership this past year. Janie guided our division with dedication, particularly in supporting DEI-related work and ensuring the safety of those contributing to this essential area. She also led an engaging, year-long book club centered on Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning.
Finally, a warm thank you to Monika Crowl and Lorena Grundy, who generously assembled this issue of our newsletter, which includes information on this year’s election candidates. Please take a moment to review the slate and cast your vote using the link provided.
J’ai hâte de vous voir à Montréal bientôt!
ChEers,
Taryn
Special Election Newsletter
Vote via Qualtrics by Friday, May 9, 2025!
Click the image below for the PDF of the full 10 page newsletter, including candidate statements.
