ECEDHA Announces 2024 Award Winners at Annual Conference

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association (ECEDHA) honored the achievements of the 2024 award winners at the 2025 ECEDHA Annual Conference in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Robert M. Janowiak Outstanding Leadership and Service Award was presented to Tony Maciejewski from Colorado State University and Miguel Velez-Reyes from the University of Texas at El Paso for their contributions to engineering education and leadership.

"Dr. Maciejewski has had a lasting impact on the field, from leading research in robotics to transforming engineering education through innovative programs," said John Janowiak, ECEDHA Executive Director. "His leadership as Head of Colorado State University's ECE Department for nearly two decades and his commitment to student success exemplify the qualities of this award."

Building on this tradition of leadership, "Dr. Velez-Reyes has played a pivotal role in the success of the 2to4 Scholarship program, which has supported dozens of students transferring from community colleges to pursue an ECE degree," said ECEDHA Past President Ken Connor. "His leadership has fostered strong collaborations between UTEP and El Paso Community College, creating a seamless transfer pathway that expands opportunities for underrepresented students."

2025 ECEDHA Annual Conference Program Feature

ECEDHA 2025 CHIPS Act Update Panel Recap

The ECEDHA 2025 CHIPS Act Update Panel brought together a distinguished group of experts to discuss the implications of the CHIPS Act for academia, industry, and workforce development. This session focused on how academic institutions can align their educational programs with the evolving needs of the semiconductor industry and the opportunities presented by federal funding initiatives.

Moderated by Mark McKinney, Professor and Department Head at The Citadel, the panel featured insights from four prominent speakers: George White, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at Georgia Institute of Technology; John Ratliff, Executive Director of the NSTC Workforce Center of Excellence; Mark Allen, Department Chair and Professor at the University of Pennsylvania; and Antonio de la Serna, Principal Director of Strategic Technology at Siemens.

The session opened with George White discussing the role of the HBCU CHIPS Network and the importance of engaging non-traditional communities in semiconductor workforce development.

2025 ECEDHA Annual Conference Program Feature

ECEDHA 2025 Workforce Development Panel: Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry

The Workforce Development Panel at the 2025 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo provided a valuable forum for exploring how academic institutions and industry can collaborate to address the growing need for skilled engineers. Moderated by Katie Crist, Director of Workforce Development at Synopsys, the panel brought together a group of experts from various sectors, each sharing their unique perspectives on workforce readiness, licensure, and the importance of hands-on experience.

The distinguished panelists included Lehmon Dekle, Chief Officer of Examinations at the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES); Noah Schmitz, Director of University Development at Keysight; Michelle Ferebee, Deputy Director of the Strategic Partnerships Office at NASA Langley Research Center; and Kelly Hannum, Board Member of the Society of Military Engineers (Hampton Roads Post).

One key discussion point was the importance of engineering licensure, particularly the role of the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam in helping students build a successful career.

2025 ECEDHA Annual Conference Program Feature

IEC 2to4 Outreach & Networking Workshop Recap

The Innovative Engineering Consortium's 2to4 Outreach & Networking Workshop, held alongside the 2025 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo, brought together a dynamic group of students from a diverse range of institutions, including Howard University, Tuskegee University, the University of Texas at El Paso, and several other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). This year's workshop attracted students from across the country, offering them a unique opportunity to explore the field of ECE while connecting with industry professionals and academic leaders.

The work of the IEC is vital in expanding access to the ECE field and ensuring a strong future for the profession. The 2025 IEC 2to4 workshop is just one example of the ongoing commitment to this mission. Through continued collaboration, the IEC helps bring more students into the ECE pipeline, empowering them to become the next generation of engineers, innovators, and leaders.

SUMMER SPECTRUM SIZZLE WORKSHOPS

Come join us this Summer for the 3rd annual Undergraduate Spectrum Workshop, tentatively scheduled for June 2-5, 2025 or June 9-12, 2025!

The first week will be held in Texas at Baylor University or Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Virginia. The second week workshops will be held at NYIT on Long Island, NY or at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO. The workshop includes free room and board for all participants! Special thanks to the National Science Foundation for their sponsorship of this event. Details on participant travel grants to be announced at a later date.

The first week will be held in Texas at Baylor University or Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Virginia. The second week workshops will be held at NYIT on Long Island, NY or at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO. The workshop includes free room and board for all participants! Special thanks to the National Science Foundation for their sponsorship of this event. Details on participant travel grants to be announced at a later date.

Call for Nominations: Marconi Society's 

Paul Baran Young Scholar Award

Nominations are open for the Marconi Society's Paul Baran Young Scholar Award, which recognizes emerging leaders in information and communications technology for innovation, leadership, and societal impact.

Young Scholars receive:

• Entry into a distinguished fellowship of influential inventors, with networking opportunities alongside Marconi Fellows like Vint Cerf, Marty Cooper, and Andrea Goldsmith.
• Global recognition and exposure leading to collaborations and career advancements.
• Recognition at the Marconi Awards Gala in Los Angeles, CA, including travel support.
• A $5,000 stipend to support their work.

We're proud to highlight Duschia Bodet, an iREDEFINE participant and a 2024 Young Scholar, showcasing the talent cultivated through the iREDEFINE Workshop.

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, and breakout sessions
• Specialized programming for ECE Lab Professionals and Students
• ECExpo technology exhibition
• Full-day 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.

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