Major: Industrial Engineering
How long have you worked at MSOE?
Since the fall of 2006.
What classes do you teach?
A lot of classes related to manufacturing and a few that are not. Some that I teach regularly are Contemporary Manufacturing Systems, Materials and Manufacturing Processes, CAM/CNC Machining/RP, and Intro to IE. I occasionally teach Engineering Economy in the summer.
What is your favorite subject to teach? Why?
My favorite is contemporary manufacturing systems because it deals with a variety of important issues related to manufacturing systems design, covers a broad range of topics, and emphasizes a systems perspective which is very important to industrial engineers.
What is your favorite aspect of teaching?
Watching students evolve over the four years that they are in college, often starting as timid freshmen and ending up as confident and capable young professionals.
What is your teaching philosophy?
Challenge students to demonstrate the skills and behaviors they will need to utilize in order to be successful engineers in the workplace.
Do you have business, industry or "real-world" experience? How does that help in the class room?
Yes. I worked as an industrial engineer for six years, the first three at McDonnell Douglas and the next three at Versa Technologies. I was part of a team that created a manufacturing simulation model and designed the production facility for the Advanced Cruise Missile. Relevant work experience is extremely valuable as an educator; it enables me to relate the material I teach to examples of how it is applied in practice.
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? Which ones?
I regularly attend meetings of our student chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers. I have also attended many other activities on campus including basketball games, trivia contests, a chili cook-off, and a faculty-student kickball game.
What do you like most about MSOE?
I like the small size of classes which gives you an opportunity to really get to know your students’ strengths and weaknesses. I also like the close ties with industry that make it relatively easy to find companies that want student teams to conduct projects for them. Most of all I like the school’s reputation for rigorous education and successful outcomes.
What do you like most about MSOE students?
I like their focus on application of engineering principles and their participation and involvement in class.
Have you won any awards? Which ones?
Falk Engineering Educator Award, MSOE (2011) Pyramid Builder Award, Phi Sigma Rho Sorority (2009) Pritsker Teaching Award, Industrial Engineering, Oklahoma State University (2006, 2003, 2001) Best Paper Award, International Conference on Agility, Espoo, Finland (2005) Halliburton Excellent Young Teacher Award, College of Engineering, Oklahoma State University (2002) Society of Black Engineers, Technologists, and Architects Faculty Award, Oklahoma State University (2002)