ECEDHA Community Summit Recap

AI-Centered Curriculum

Innovation in ECE

The July 10th ECEDHA Community Summit brought together our members to explore AI-Centered Curriculum Innovation in ECE. The session featured three faculty leaders, each approaching AI integration from different angles and highlighting the shared priorities for preparing the next generation of engineers.

Dr. Kathy McCoy of the University of Delaware discussed the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence Engineering alongside graduate-level programs designed to give students both technical depth and a strong ethical grounding. At the center of Delaware’s approach is a highly collaborative AI Center of Excellence, which links 60 faculty members across seven colleges and encourages interdisciplinary projects that combine the strengths of computer science, ECE, and other fields. Vertically integrated projects allow students to participate in multi-year research experiences, while targeted seed funding has spurred over $800,000 in external research grants.

Princeton Will Lead U.S. Effort to Design Better Chips for Wireless Communication By: Scott Lyon

Princeton University will lead a joint government-industry effort using AI to develop advanced semiconductors for wireless communication and remote sensing. The chips are critical for next-generation wireless networks, satellite communication, self-driving cars and smart health care technologies.

Kaushik Sengupta, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Princeton, will direct the effort. His team will focus on automating the design of microchips for radio-frequency wireless communication, the technology that enables electronic devices to communicate with one another and with the physical world.

Developing Energy-Efficient Solutions for AI Data Centers

By: Emily Collins

Lehigh’s Center for Advancing Community Electrification Solutions (ACES) is addressing the energy needs of AI data centers.

While this growth can foster job creation, workforce development and an increase in economic activity, energy-related concerns remain.

AI data centers host computing resources needed to meet AI demands. These centers use high levels of water and energy, and depend on local and regional electric systems. This raises questions as to whether electric grids are prepared for the increase in power, if water usage can handle the pressure from the cooling requirements and what the implications are for consumers of energy.

Taking ECE to Congress:

a Q&A with PhD Alum

Trevor Odelberg By: Mina Davidson

Odelberg is combining his expertise in electrical engineering and passion for making a positive societal impact to influence public policy.

As Trevor Odelberg got deeper and deeper into the nitty-gritty details of integrated circuits, wireless communication, and energy harvesting, he found himself wondering how his innovations would be implemented in society. His work on batteryless circuits and the cellular Internet of Things was driven by his vision for a more sustainable future and hope to impact people’s lives for the better—but what would happen once the technologies were out of his hands as an electrical engineer?

Watching the Facebook congressional hearings that took place in 2018, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified about issues of data privacy and the detrimental effects of his platform, Odelberg was struck by the lack of technical understanding that some of the Senators demonstrated. This experience spurred a further interest in science-related policy, inspiring him to pursue formal education on this topic.

Meet the 2025-2026 ECEDHA Board Secretary

What inspired you to pursue a career in ECE?

With two parents who were biochemists, I actually started out in a bio-related field. But then I watched my friends puzzling over their circuit homework problems, and I was hooked by the elegance and creativity of electrical engineering. That curiosity quickly turned into a passion, and I made the switch to ECE, a decision that has shaped every part of my career.

Can you share a highlight from your time as a department head that you are particularly proud of?

I am proud of how we have built a culture where faculty, students, industry, and government partners genuinely work together. A recent highlight has been launching major efforts in semiconductor workforce development, especially in wide bandgap technologies. This has included creating a new undergraduate course on the societal impact of semiconductors, developing new curriculum tracks, and advancing our proposed MS in Wide Bandgap Semiconductors. These efforts are giving students hands-on, high-impact experiences and positioning our department as a national leader.

Now Renewing!

2025-2026 ECEDHA Memberships



Renew your membership today to continue receiving valuable ECEDHA member benefits

For assistance with membership renewal, please contact membership@ecedha.org or 312-268-5601

Renewing your ECEDHA membership keeps you connected to a collaborative network of ECE leaders, valuable resources, and opportunities to engage in programs and events. It ensures access to best-practice sharing and partnerships that strengthen your department and advance the ECE community.

Upcoming ECEDHA Community Summit

The ECEDHA Summit Series is strategically designed to support the ECEDHA community during times of need. The Summit Series provides a full year of engagement and addresses critical issues facing ECEDHA academic members, ECEDHA corporate members, and the overall ECE enterprise. 

The 2026 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo will occur late March 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa. This premier annual gathering will feature:



• An intensive conference program of Keynotes, Plenary Panels, Collaborative General Sessions and Breakouts
• Specialized programming for Lab Professionals and Students
• ECExpo technology exhibition
• Full-day Pre-Conference Workshops
• Ample opportunity for networking

Call for Articles

ECEDHA members are invited to submit articles of interest for the ECEDHA Source. Please send articles for consideration to information@ecedha.org.

ECEDHA Category 1 Member Summit 5/21/25

Integrating AI, Quantum, and CHIPS Act Opportunities into Existing Research Infrastructure

ECEDHA Category 2 Member Summit 5/22/25

Developing Industry-Aligned Graduate Programs in the CHIPS and AI Era

ECEDHA Category 3 Member Summit 5/27/25

Strengthening Student Pathways: Transfer Students, Internships, and Early Industry Exposure

ECEDHA Category 4 Member Summit 5/28/25

Addressing Transfer, Retention, and Completion