The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association                                                                         March  2017
Letter from the Editor
Badri Roysam,
University of Houston
Dear ECEDHA Members, Industry Partners, and Colleagues,

In this issue of the ECE Source, Steven Hietpas and Jeff Yergler reflect on a topic that is especially timely - the challenges faced by some mid-career faculty due to changing performance expectations. We are also pleased to welcome corporate member Jim Keady, who discusses new options for equipping student laboratories.

>>  Read more
A Message from the Guest Editor
Steven Hietpas,
South Dakota State University

Welcome to the March issue of the ECE Source.  It is often at this point in the academic year that department chairs are wrapping up annual evaluations, proposing salary enhancement schedules to their deans (assuming the university is positioned to offer salary enhancement), completing department policy and standards documents, establishing O&E budgets for the coming year, and the list goes on. These can be stressful times for everyone, which is why I always look forward to the ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo in March!

>>  Read more
Featured Articles
Jeffrey D. Yergler,
Golden Gate University
Addressing Professional and Personal Disruption Caused by Changing Standards

As a department chair and a leadership and management consultant working with both the private and public sector, I have a bird's eye view of many of the issues that impact the morale and engagement of employees. What I see more often than not are low levels of morale and engagement in many of the organizations for whom I consult. The low morale tends to be a result of other factors at work between the employee, the organization, and the manager (or in an academic setting, the department head or chair).

Steven Hietpas, South Dakota
State University
Mid-Career Faculty Morale in Times of Change

I have served as the department head for the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at SDSU since 2010, and have had the privilege of working with 20-25 academics, in two distinct disciplines ("cultures"), where a majority are either tenured or on tenure-track. SDSU, not unlike many universities, periodically revise their faculty handbook and/or department standards document for promotion and tenure.  It is a rare case, indeed, that the standards for excellence are lowered. In 2013, SDSU published its new department standards documents.

Jim Keady, Continental Resources
Engineering Educators: How to Stretch Your Test Equipment Budget to Meet Curricula Demands

It can be a precarious balancing act - what students need... what your curriculum requires... versus how far you can stretch your budget. How do you 'even the scales', so to speak?

>>  Read more
Sponsored Video
Mouser Electronics:   Solder On

Mouser Electronics continues to salute the innovators - past, present, and future - who strive to push the boundaries of technical achievement. Solder on.
Sponsored Article
null

Mouser Electronics Gives Educators a Free, Web-Based Solution to Inventory Management Problems

The Inventory Management by Mouser is a user-friendly platform that offers university faculty and staff a straightforward way to efficiently monitor and manage inventory without purchasing expensive software. It's completely free and features a new companion mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

Mouser developed its new online inventory management platform and smartphone app specifically as a time- and money-saving solution for higher education.

>>   Read more
Conference Corner
Nicolas H. Younan, Mississippi State University
Host University Spotlight: Mississippi State University

On behalf of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Mississippi State University, I would like to welcome you in advance to the 2017 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECE xpo.  We are honored to serve as one of the host universities at this year's conference and I am looking forward to seeing you all in Sandestin, FL soon. In addition, I would like also to take this opportunity and invite you to visit if you are in the area.

Established in 1878 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi - one of the national land-grant entities created by Congress through the 1862 Morrill Act with a mission to provide training in "agriculture, horticulture and the mechanical arts...without excluding other scientific and classical studies, including military tactics."  It was renamed Mississippi State College in 1932 and Mississippi State University in 1958.

>>  Read more
Last Chance to Register for the 
2017 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo!
 
March 17-21, 2017 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort & Spa

Join us this month for the ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECE xpo, the largest gathering of ECE department heads from throughout the United States and Canada.

This year's program is hosted by Auburn University, Mississippi State University, Florida A&M University, Florida State University, and University of Florida. Join us  March 17-21, 2017 at the Hilton Sandestin in Miramar Beach, FL.

ECEDHA members will enjoy a world-class educational program focusing on the most pressing issues facing academia and ECE today.





Corporate Feature
ECE Insights

ECE Insights offer in-depth interviews with leading industry executives.

Featured ECE Insights:
In This Issue
Calendar of Events
March 17, 2017
ABET Workshop
Presented at the ECEDHA Annual Conference
Hilton Sandestin - Miramar Beach, FL
March 17, 2017
New Chairs Workshop
Presented at the ECEDHA Annual Conference
Hilton Sandestin - Miramar Beach, FL
March 17, 2017
Leadership Workshop
Presented at the ECEDHA Annual Conference
Hilton Sandestin - Miramar Beach, FL
March 17, 2017
ADI/MathWorks Workshop
Presented at the ECEDHA Annual Conference
Hilton Sandestin - Miramar Beach, FL
March 17-21, 2017
ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECE xpo
Hilton Sandestin - Miramar Beach, FL
March 30, 2017
Sponsored by National Instruments
On Demand Webinar
Sponsored by Keysight Technologies
On Demand Webinar
Sponsored by National Instruments
On Demand Webinar
Sponsored by Quanser
On Demand Webinar
Sponsored by COMSOL
On Demand Webinar
Sponsored by National Instruments
On Demand Webinar
Sponsored by COMSOL
ECEDHA News
ECEDHA is pleased to welcome its newest corporate member!

It's time to renew your 2017 ECEDHA Membership!

2017 ECEDHA membership renewal for ECEDHA department heads is now underway.  Renew your membership today to keep receiving ECEDHA membership benefits, including: 
  • Access to the ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo
  • Complimentary registration for ECEDHA's ECE Webinars
  • The opportunity to participate in the ECEDHA Annual Survey, a valuable tool in benchmarking your organization in lab and office space, faculty and department head salaries, research budgets, student retention, graduation rates, and much more.
  • Complimentary job posting service via the ECEDHA website
  • And much more!

For questions, please contact Megan Bekolay at mbekolay@ecedha.org or 312.559.3724
Ideas/Comments/Suggestions?

We're interested in hearing from you!

We welcome all feedback - drop us a line at:
ECEDHA Member and Partner News
IEEE Education Society: Mac E. Van Valkenburg Award

Please consider nominating a colleague or deserving individual for the Mac E. Van Valkenburg Award, which recognizes members of the IEEE Education Society who have made outstanding contributions to teaching unusually early in their professional careers.

Deadline: April 15, 2017

2017 IEEE Educational Activities Board Awards

Please consider nominating a colleague or deserving individual for one of EAB's prestigious awards.

Deadline: May 1, 2017


At the ECE Source, we strive to cover topics that are relevant and timely to ECE  department heads.  We welcome your comments, feedback, and suggestions of topics t o cover in our next issue.  Thank you.