The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association | |
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Letter from the Guest Editor
Faculty Grantsmanship Mentoring: What Chairs can do
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Badri Roysam
University of Houston
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Dear Colleagues,
It was an amazing pleasure to host the 2023 IEEE Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) Student Leadership Conference in Houston earlier this month, and it was big. We had 312 registered attendees from 54 Chapters worldwide, 13 sponsors, 12 Technical Societies, 7 companies, and 7 graduate schools holding recruitment desks, 20 sessions, 4 workshops, and 39 speakers. Here is a link to a drone picture of our exciting group - you may recognize your student in it!
I hope that your new faculty members are settled into their new positions. As they turn their attention to grants and funding, it is good to know that Department Chairs can play a crucial role. Please read on for an in-depth discussion of this topic.
One of the long-term strengths of ECEDHA is our robust engagement with the corporate community. In this issue of the ECEDHA Source, we are delighted to continue our discussion of student labs from the October issue. This time, we are delighted to feature two industry articles, one from David Horn at Digilent describing the exciting new student "lab in a backpack" must-have, the Analog Discovery 3. We all remember how helpful the Discovery 2 was during the Covid lockdowns, so we look forward to its successor. Next we are delighted to feature Paul Karam at Quanser (yes, this company's name came from Question and Answer) describing new additions to the student robotics learning experience. As is our tradition now, we are delighted to spotlight IEC 2to4 student Marvin Mendez at Montgomery Community College in the District of Columbia. The future of ECE looks bright. Finally, we are delighted to spotlight the new team members at ECEDHA's office. You will be interacting with them, especially as we plan for the 2024 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo, March 15-18, 2024 in beautiful Tucson, Arizona. See you there!
Do you have an initiative in your department that would be worth sharing? We would love to feature your efforts in the next ECEDHA Source newsletter. Increasingly, our articles are in the form of the ECE Conversations video podcast. It is friendly, authentic, personal, and natural.
> Read Full Article
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David Horn
Marketing Manager
Diligent
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New in Town: Digilent's Analog Discovery 3
One of Academia's saving graces during the pandemic and the subsequent shift to remote/hybrid learning was Digilent's Analog Discovery 2. In 2023, this popular ECE multitool received a facelift with the latest version, the Analog Discovery 3. This version, aside from WaveForms software updates, is the first major change in the product since 2016. One of the burning questions you all might have is, "How does the Analog Discovery 3 compare to the Analog Discovery 2?"
MSRP
To start, the AD3's MSRP is actually an improvement over its predecessor. The Analog Discovery 3 retails for $379 USD, which is $20 less than the retail price of the Analog Discovery 2 of $399. The academic price of the Analog Discovery 3 is $249 USD if you qualify as an academic through our verification system.
> Read More
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Paul Karam
Chief Robotics Officer
Quanser
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Dear ECE - The Future of Robotics is in your Hands!
In this article, the Chief Robotics Officer at Quanser explores the pivotal role of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) departments in shaping the future of robotics. Reflecting on personal experiences and the evolution of Mechatronics to contemporary Robotics, the author underscores the multidisciplinary essence of the field. Through a comprehensive framework of See, Think, Do, and Talk, the article contends that these elements crucial to modern robotics are inherently rooted in ECE specialties. Examining advancements in sensing, AI, and communication, the author argues that ECE departments, at the forefront of these developments, are poised to drive significant strides in the future of robotics. The article concludes with a reaffirmation of the multi-disciplinary nature of robotics and an invitation to continued dialogue within the academic engineering community.
> Read More
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Tori Carter
Program Manager
ECEDHA
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Tori Carter, Program Manager
Hello, my name is Tori Carter, and I am thrilled to be part of the ECEDHA team! I started in early October, and I have jumped into everything that entails overall support of the organization and responsibilities of the ECEDHA Program Manager. I have extensive experience working with non-profit organizations, primarily at a Science Museum. Working with people and the STEM community is my passion, and I am eagerly looking forward to meeting everyone at the Annual Conference!
My role with ECEDHA involves assisting in memberships, community engagement, annual conference planning, and organizing other programs throughout the year. I am excited to continue learning more about ECEDHA and getting to know our members better.
I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, where I currently live with my fiance. In my free time, I enjoy planning our wedding, and when the weather is suitable, we love going out on our boat together. We also have two wonderful dogs named Coyote and Mia who make great coworkers.
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Elizabeth Hibbler
Associate Director, Content Development
ECEDHA
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Elizabeth Hibbler, Associate Director, Content Development
Hello ECEDHA!
My name is Elizabeth Hibbler, and I have had the privilege of working on the ECEDHA Team for one year. I am the daughter of a teacher and an electrical engineer, so educators and engineers are some of my favorite people! Before my time at ECEDHA, I worked in community college administration and student engagement. I partnered with colleagues and universities in Indiana to help students transition to bachelor's degree programs. Working with college students, I have seen the transformational power of higher education. Joining ECEDHA has allowed me to continue to support initiatives and projects that will ultimately lead to stronger graduates and stronger communities.
Expanding access to college is personally important to me. Higher education institutions are hubs for research, innovation, and creativity, which is especially true in ECE departments. By expanding access, more individuals have the opportunity to contribute to advancements in science and technology. ECEDHA's commitment to fostering a welcoming environment resonates with me, and I hope to contribute as well.
In my short time with ECEDHA, I have learned about some of the great opportunities that rely heavily on ECE researchers, graduates, and faculty. This investment in the semiconductor industry, along with advancements in electric vehicles, AI, technology, and various other areas, make for a very exciting time. In my role at ECEDHA, I work with the team to create programming that addresses all these topics, including discussions about challenges and promising practices within the higher education space.
Outside of my work with ECEDHA, I enjoy doing arts and crafts and have a large collection of unfinished crochet projects. My husband, 1 year old, and I live in Indianapolis and are loyal Indiana Pacers fans. It was great to meet some of you at the 2023 Annual Conference and I hope to see some new and familiar faces in March!
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Tymia Wilson
Corporate Relations Director
ECEDHA
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Tymia Wilson, Corporate Relations Director
My name is Tymia Wilson. I joined the team in May of 2021 as the Director of Corporate Relations for the Inclusive Engineering Consortium. In the summer of 2023, my role transitioned to include ECEDHA's Corporate Relations.
I recently moved to the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, just outside of Allentown from Baltimore, Maryland. I am a newlywed with a son attending Morgan State University and two daughters attending Millersville University. I am a HUGE Baltimore Ravens and St. Louis Blues fan and I enjoy going to their games.
I enjoy working with, learning more about, and helping to grow the ECEDHA community. I can't wait to see everyone in Tucson at the ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo!
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IEC 2to4 Student Spotlight | |
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Marvin Mendez
IEC 2to4 Scholar
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Meet Marvin Mendez, IEC 2to4 Scholar
The IEC 2to4 program is an IEC initiative focused on supporting first-generation, underrepresented minority community college students in their transition to completing four-year ECE degrees. In Fall 2023, the first cohort of 2to4 students received scholarship funds. We invite you to share in their academic journey. Learn more about the IEC 2to4 program.
Name: Marvin Mendez
Community College: Montgomery College
College/University: University of the District of Columbia
"My journey to where I am now has been both chaotic and, most of all, eye-opening. I wasn't the best student in high school. I was never surrounded by the right crowd to push me and insist on a future. With the academic grades I achieved by my senior year, I knew colleges and universities were limited, but it never stopped me from attempting to find a solution. The high school I attended was engineering-based, and I always had a fondness for problem-solving. The teachers and counselors at my high school pushed me to find the right path.
When I joined Community College, I instantly became a part of the school by joining the Montgomery Men's soccer team, and this is where everything began. The coaching staff and the counselors who help within the soccer program pushed me past my limit, both academically and physically. Being online during COVID did make my beginning difficult. I was struggling to improve academically as I had never really learned how to study or how to communicate with my teachers when I needed help. There was a moment within my second and third trimesters of school when I collapsed. I remember speaking to my coach and insisting that I couldn't continue with the soccer team due to my academic struggles. I remember him giving me tips on how to manage my time. I learned new methods on how to balance school, work, sports, and most of all, my mental health.
As Newton said, every action has a reaction, and I've learned that no matter what life throws at you, it's how you react that shapes your future. I chose engineering as a major, initially because I had the common knowledge from high school, but when I took Engineering 101, I knew it was the major I wanted to do. I remember doing a project where we built a small car where we programmed an Arduino to sense a certain distance and do the following commands. I can say it was difficult, but looking back, I'm glad I made the choice. Right then and there, I knew engineering was the thing for me.
My second year of school was amazing. I continued with soccer, and our team made it to the district semi-finals, where I won my first regional final. In the same semester, I knocked off Physics I and Calculus. This was my hardest semester, but I knew if I could be successful, then I could do it again. As I took my engineering classes, I fell in love with the electrical side of engineering.
I can truly look back to where I started and say that I have grown, matured, and become a better person, and that has helped me to inspire my younger siblings. In addition, I inspire the community where I grew up - even people I have not met see that change is possible, but only if you strive for it. I am now pursuing a bachelor's in electrical engineering, and I don't plan on stopping there. I want to achieve my master's and see how far I can truly reach."
The IEC 2to4 program is made possible by the generous support of the U.S. Department of Defense Research and Development Division and the DoD STEM Community College Consortium Award.
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Association Announcements | | |
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Now Renewing!
2023-2024 ECEDHA Academic Membership
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Renew your membership today to continue receiving ECEDHA member benefits, including:
- Access to the 2023 ECEDHA Summit Series, a virtual program
- The opportunity to attend the 2024 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo
- The opportunity to participate in the ECEDHA Annual Survey, a valuable tool in benchmarking data
- Complimentary job posting service via the ECEDHA website
- And much more!
Looking for your membership packet? Please contact the ECEDHA membership director at membership@ecedha.org.
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Save the Date! 2024 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo
March 15-18, 2024
El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
Tucson, Arizona
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Mark your calendars for this premier annual gathering of ECE department chairs. The ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo brings together the largest concentration of ECE academia and industry throughout the United States and Canada. | |
Previously recorded webinars are now available for your on-demand viewing!
Sponsored by Liquid Instruments
Sponsored by CMC Microsystems
Sponsored by Tektronix
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A Little Engineering Humor | | |
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Before studying engineering, if someone asked me what 1 + 1 is, I would have said "2".
Now, I'd say, "I'm pretty sure it's 2, but we'd better make it three just to be safe."
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