The Competition Heats Up at Circuit Showdown

Three contestants. Three judges. Two competition rounds. One champion.

Welcome to Circuit Showdown, where up-and-coming engineers battle in a unique design competition.

Our industry is driven by innovation, and that innovation depends on the next generation of engineers. Circuit Showdown brings electrical and mechanical engineering students from various universities together to compete head-to-head in a first-of-its-kind design standoff. In just four hours, contestants must build a themed project from scratch using pre-determined hardware, components, and test equipment provided on-site.

Powered by Mouser Electronics and hosted by eeDesignIt, Circuit Showdown isn't just a design competition; it's a place where pressure meets creativity as aspiring engineers seize the opportunity to display their engineering prowess in front of industry experts while showcasing their technical skillsets.

Generative AI in Engineering Capstone Projects: Challenges and Opportunities By: Qusay H. Mahmoud

FAU Awarded $10M to Train People

with Disabilities for High Tech Jobs

By: Gisele Galoustian

The rising demand for tech jobs presents an outstanding opportunity for growth and inclusivity in the industry. Developing accessible training programs tailored for individuals with disabilities can foster a more diverse workforce. Florida Atlantic University’s College of Education and the College of Engineering and Computer Science have received a $9,961,460 grant from the United States Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to increase the capacity and participation of transition-age youths and working-age adults with disabilities in high demand technology jobs locally and nationally.  

Expanding Early Access to

Engineering Courses By: Katherine Connor

Last spring, high school students at Chula Vista Learning Community Charter School built a remote controlled LED light; an audio amplifier; 3D printed a design of their own creation; and developed a line-following robot. They learned all the engineering and computer science skills required to complete these team-based, hands-on projects through an award-winning introductory electrical engineering class developed at the University of California San Diego. The class was offered to high school students for the first time in 2023 in an effort to expand earlier access to engineering concepts and skills.

Auburn researchers are on the front lines to help prevent cyberattacks By: Joe McAdory

From electronic devices we rely upon, vehicles we drive, food we consume, electric substations to life-changing decisions made in voting booths, Auburn researchers are on the front lines to prevent potential cyberattacks.

October marks the 21st Cybersecurity Awareness Month, designated by the federal government for public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.

Auburn University is doing its part, every day.

Among the university’s notable players in the realm of cyber defense is the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security. Established in 2015 and housed within the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and offices in Washington, D.C., the McCrary Institute bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and practical capabilities in cybersecurity.

Article Submissions

ECEDHA members are encouraged to submit articles of interest for inclusion in the ECEDHA Source. Email your article for consideration to information@ecedha.org. 

Ian Walker

Department Head, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

University of Wyoming

I am originally from England, though from graduate school onwards I have been in the U.S. My career trajectory has taken me from Texas to South Carolina, and now on to Wyoming as (for the first time) a department Head. I have spent my entire career in the U.S. thus far in Electrical and Computer Engineering departments.

Q. What inspired you to take on the role of department chair?

A. I have a number of good friends and colleagues who have served in the role at various institutions. They have told me how satisfying it has been for them, and how they felt I would be good at the job and very much enjoy it as well. It has been interesting to watch the various chairs (seven of them, through the years!) of my departments, each possessing very a different personality and style, tackle the job. They have all inspired me to follow them, in one way or another.

Q. In your role as department chair, what did you find to be the most surprising or unexpected?

A. I have a number of good friends and colleagues who have served in the role at various institutions. They have told me how satisfying it has been for them, and how they felt I would be good at the job and very much enjoy it as well. It has been interesting to watch the various chairs (seven of them, through the years!) of my departments, each possessing very a different personality and style, tackle the job. They have all inspired me to follow them, in one way or another.

iREDEFINE Fellow Interview

iREDEFINE is a workshop funded by the NSF with the goal of increasing the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in ECE faculty positions. The iREDEFINE Fellows participate in dedicated programming to support their academic career paths, attend ECEDHA sessions, present their research, and take part in mock interviews.

Discover valuable insights from Sathwika Bavikadi, a 2024 iREDEFINE participant, as she shares her inspiring experiences in the workshop and her exciting journey in the ECE academic field!

2025 iREDEFINE Applications will be opening soon, stay tuned!

Meet Colby Woodard III

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 2024, 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.

My work on securing MicroGrid systems against cyber threats and managing renewable energy consumption has not only sharpened my technical skills but also helped me appreciate the innovation in the energy sector. PVAMU and my internship experiences have solidified my commitment to pursuing a career that contributes to sustainable energy solutions.

Announcing 2025 ECEDHA Host Universities

Brian L. Mark

Professor, Interim Chair of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Ikem Uba

Assistant Professor, Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Patricia Mead

Professor and Chair,

Department of Engineering

Oscar Gonzalez

Professor & Chair of Electrical and

Computer Engineering

ECE Summit: What is the Role of ChatGPT in ECE? How will Generative AI Drive Innovation?

Webinar produced in partnership by:

ECE Foundation & NVIDIA

Professional Growth Series: Interview Like a Pro

Webinar produced in partnership by:

Texas Instruments &

Inclusive Engineering Consortium