NC State Engineering Office of Faculty Development and Success

?? Faculty Feature: Dr. Matthew Cooper ?? Meet Dr. Matthew Cooper, an Associate Teaching Professor in the NC State Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, where he has landed his dream job. Passionate about teaching, Matt thrives on helping students understand the intricacies of chemical engineering—what he calls explaining the workings of Mother Nature. ???? Beyond the classroom, Matt plays a pivotal role in the department’s accreditation efforts, and he’s incredibly proud that their team recently passed the ABET review with flying colors—a testament to years of dedication and hard work. ???? Lately, his research has focused on improving student-teacher relationships, recognizing that effective learning requires a balance of care, understanding, and fairness. He sees it as both a privilege and a responsibility to help students navigate challenges inside and outside the classroom. This August, Matt will bring his teaching expertise to the OFDS New Faculty Orientation Workshop (NFOW), co-leading the first two days alongside Dr. Sarah Heckman. Stepping into this role following Dr. Lisa Bullard’s retirement, he’s excited to share innovative teaching and classroom management techniques with new faculty. ??? Outside of academia, Matt is a nature lover who grew up exploring the outdoors in West Virginia and still hikes several times a week—his favorite local spot being Eno River State Park. He’s also an avid gardener, growing heirloom tomatoes from seeds passed down by his late grandmother. ?? Fun fact? Matt is a dedicated fantasy football player, recently winning back-to-back championships in his 14-team friends & family league! When he’s not teaching, hiking, or tending to his garden, Matt enjoys: ?? Comedy podcasts like Threedom, Pen Pals, and Comedy Bang! ?? Rick Steves’ travel shows (now free on YouTube!) ?? Non-fiction reads, including The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver and his current book, Relationship-Rich Education by Peter Felten & Leo Lambert. NC State College of Engineering is lucky to have such a dedicated educator and mentor shaping the next generation of engineers!?

?? Meet Marissa Langford: A Strategic Leader Driving Growth in the College of Engineering ?? As the Assistant Dean for College Operations and Chief of Staff to Dean Jim Pfaendtner, Marissa Langford plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of NC State College of Engineering. She partners with the dean to define the college’s mission and vision, ensuring strategic initiatives align with its long-term goals. On the operational side, her team provides the essential support needed to turn strategy into execution, enhancing efficiency and productivity across the board. Marissa thrives on problem-solving—she enjoys identifying challenges and devising solutions that create lasting impact. One of her biggest recent successes? Hosting the first annual Applied AI in Engineering and Computer Science Symposium—a landmark event that brought together faculty, students, and industry experts to discuss cutting-edge advancements in AI. Leading such a large-scale initiative was no small feat, but Marissa embraces challenges and takes pride in seeing her efforts drive meaningful progress. Her current focus? Helping people embrace change. In a field where long-standing processes are the norm, guiding teams through transformation can be tough. Marissa is committed to working with stakeholders to implement improvements while addressing resistance along the way. Outside of work, Marissa loves the outdoors—whether it’s running, walking, yoga, or her favorite, hiking. When it’s time to unwind, she turns to a good murder mystery or true crime podcast. She highly recommends Counter Clock, particularly its latest season, which dives into a fascinating North Carolina case. And when she’s not solving operational challenges, she’s exploring the world. Last month, she and her family spent the holidays in Amsterdam, celebrating the end of her daughter’s study abroad program. Join us in celebrating Marissa’s contributions to COE and her dedication to driving innovation and excellence! ??

?? THIS FRIDAY! Join Us for the Virtual CARE Coalition Part I: A Call to Action for STEM Leaders, in collaboration with The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and WEPAN - Women in Engineering ProActive Network. ??? When: Friday, February 21st, 2025 | 1:00–4:00 PM (ET) ?? Where: Zoom (link provided upon registration) ?? Register Here: https://lnkd.in/ggmrKwcU ?? What’s New? While we hosted an in-person version last November, this event features new speakers, fresh discussions, and a fully virtual format to engage an even broader audience. ? What to Expect: ? Key insights from The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report on academic caregivers ? Faculty and staff sharing their experiences balancing caregiving with career advancement ? Institutional strategies to recruit and retain academic caregivers ? A panel discussion with campus leaders on building an inclusive academic culture ? Practical ways to apply NASEM findings to institutional policies and leadership ?? Featured Speakers & Panelists: ?? Dr. Idalis Villanueva Alarcón, Ph.D. ?? Kimberly Cook-Chennault (https://lnkd.in/ekbx69gb), Ph.D. ?? Katie Wullert, PhD ?? Ursula Hairston, MPA ?? Heather Metcalf, Ph.D. ?? Melvin (Jai) Jackson, Ph.D. ?? Peter Harries, Ph.D. ?? Jamila Simpson, Ph.D. Be part of the movement! Let’s work together to reform academic norms and support caregivers in STEM. Register for the event before Thursday, February 20th.

?? A Call to Action: Reforming Norms for Academic Caregivers ?? ?? Join us for an engaging virtual forum on Friday, February 21st, from 1 - 4 PM on Zoom, where STEM leaders will discuss ways to reshape institutional policies and cultures to better support academic caregivers. We’re thrilled to feature an outstanding panel of speakers moderated by Heather Metcalf, Ph.D. – Managing Director of Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, WEPAN ?? Melvin (Jai) Jackson, Ph.D. – Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Engagement ?? Peter Harries – Dean of the Graduate School ?? Jamila Simpson – Associate Dean for College Success and Well-Being in the College of Science This event is hosted in collaboration with NC State Engineering’s Office of Faculty Development and Success, the The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine , and WEPAN - Women in Engineering ProActive Network. ??? Why Now? 40% of families care for children, and nearly 20% support aging adults. Inspired by the National Academies’ 2024 report, "Supporting Family Caregivers in STEMM: A Call to Action," this forum will spark solutions for NC State and beyond to build inclusive, supportive academic environments. ?? If you’re passionate about making academia more inclusive and supportive, especially for caregivers, this is a must-attend event! ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/guerKxVq

?? Upcoming Workshop: Strategies for Building Large, Multi-Component Budgets Join The Proposal Development Unit (PDU) on February 19, 2025 at 12pm, for a session on developing budgets and budget justifications for large, multi-component projects. The PDU will balance general guidance with specific examples to help faculty navigate differences among major funding agencies (e.g. NSF, NIH, DOD). Learn key strategies to: ?? Translate project objectives into budget categories ?? Develop and manage component budgets ?? Coordinate subawards and collaborate with College Research Offices ?? Navigate budgeting rules and regulations ?? Register now: https://lnkd.in/gVJBRRJr For more information about the event and PDU: https://lnkd.in/gFUnA6Xi

?? Join Us for the [VIRTUAL] CARE Coalition Part I: A Call to Action Forum for STEM Leaders to Reform the Norms for Academic Caregivers! ?? ??? When: Friday, February 21st, 2025, 1:00–4:00 PM ?? Where: Zoom (link will be provided after you register) ?? Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/g45gBy4D This forum will address the challenges faced by academic caregivers and explore strategies to foster a more supportive academic environment. It is open to individuals of all genders and roles. We hosted this event in person last November, but this version features different speakers and discussions and is now virtual. ? Event Highlights: ?? Key insights from The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report on academic caregivers ?? Personal stories from faculty balancing caregiving and career advancement ?? Institutional strategies for recruiting and retaining faculty caregivers ?? Panel discussion with campus leaders on fostering an inclusive academic culture ?? Applying NASEM findings to our own institutional leadership and support systems ?? Check Out This Lineup of Speakers and Panelists! ?? Dr. Idalis Villanueva Alarcón, University of Florida, and Dr. Kimberly Cook-Chennault (https://lnkd.in/ekbx69gb), Ph.D., Rutgers University, will discuss faculty perspectives on navigating promotion and tenure while caring for their children with learning disabilities. ?? Katie Wullert, PhD, lead author of the NASEM report, will address key findings and implications for academia. ?? Ursula Hairston, MPA, Assistant Vice Chancellor for HR Strategy, NC State, will highlight caregiver support and workforce retention. ??Heather Metcalf, Ph.D., Managing Director of Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, WEPAN, will be moderating the panel. ?? Melvin (Jai) Jackson, Ph.D., Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Engagement, NC State, will share experiences with caregiving as a panelist. ??Peter Harries, Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate School, NC State, will share experiences with caregiving as a panelist. ??Jamila Simpson, Ph.D., Associate Dean for College Success and Well-Being, College of Sciences, NC State, will share experiences with caregiving as a panelist. We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your valuable insights!

?? KEEN Crescendo Event – Join Us! ?? Are you ready to take your teaching to the next level? The Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) Crescendo Event is coming to campus! This is your chance to engage in dynamic, interactive workshops on Entrepreneurially Minded Learning (EML) and discover strategies to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. ?? Friday, February 7, 2025 ?? Engineering Building II, Room 3002 ? 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM (Lunch provided!) ?? Agenda 8:30 AM – Opening & Goals 9:00 AM – The Transformative Power of EM in the Classroom 10:30 AM – The Curious Power of Curiosity 12:00 PM – Lunch 1:00 PM – The Science of Human Attention 2:30 PM – Networking & Socializing (Meet with a coach!) Led by A. L. Ranen McLanahan, Program Director at The Kern Family Foundation, these workshops will provide actionable insights that you can apply in your classroom immediately. ? Why attend? ? Gain fresh ideas to enhance your teaching ? Connect with a vibrant community of educators ? Increase the visibility of your work at a national level ?? RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gGrFE8Bi ?? Contact Anna Howard at [email protected] with questions or for more information, see?here: https://lnkd.in/gva_pJRg

?? Reflecting on an Impactful Experience at the KEEN National Conference! We just wrapped up an incredible experience at the KEEN National Conference, where educators, industry leaders, and innovators came together to advance entrepreneurial mindset (EM) education in engineering. This event was a powerful reminder of how we can equip future engineers with curiosity, connections, and the skills to create extraordinary value in the world. #KNC2025 ?? Key Takeaways: ? Entrepreneurial Mindset is Essential – More than technical skills, fostering curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving prepares students for real-world challenges. ? Collaboration Drives Innovation – The exchange of ideas between faculty, industry, and students is shaping the future of engineering education. ? Actionable Strategies for Faculty – From curriculum design to hands-on learning, we left with practical tools to integrate EM into classrooms effectively. A special congratulations to Dr. Nathalie Lavoine for earning the KEEN National Rising Star Award! A KEEN Rising Star is a faculty member with less than 10 years of experience who has gone above and beyond to equip undergraduate engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset (EM) to create personal, economic, and societal value for others. To learn more, check out this website: https://lnkd.in/gYiXt68j. We want to thank our NC State College of Engineering representatives who attended the conference and contributed to such a passionate community dedicated to engineering education excellence! ? Olgha Qaqish, PhD ? Alexey Gulyuk ? Corey Kiassat ? Julio Enrique Terán ? Kanton Reynolds ? Kate Saul ? Lisa Marshall ? Nathalie Lavoine ? Sharon Thorne ? Joel Ducoste ? Meredith McDevitt, Ph.D.

?? A huge thank you to everyone who attended the New Faculty Reception! It was fantastic to see so many new and returning faculty members come together to connect, share experiences, and build community. A special thank you to Dean Jim Pfaendtner for supporting this event and for your continued dedication to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment for faculty in the College of Engineering. Your leadership makes a meaningful difference in building a strong academic community. We appreciate your engagement and look forward to continuing these conversations and connections throughout the year!

?? Join Us for an Important Conversation! ?? The CARE Coalition Part I: A Call to Action forum will be held on Friday, February 21st from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM via Zoom, and you don’t want to miss it! This event, hosted in collaboration with The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and WEPAN - Women in Engineering ProActive Network, will bring together STEM leaders to address the critical need for supporting academic caregivers. We’ll be exploring key insights from the National Academies’ 2024 report, "Supporting Family Caregivers in STEMM: A Call to Action," and discussing innovative strategies and practices to foster more inclusive academic environments. This forum is open to all genders and welcomes participants beyond NC State University. ?? Register now: https://lnkd.in/gPtzTBCU ?? Learn more: go.ncsu.edu/acalltoaction Let’s work together to reshape the norms and better support caregivers in STEM. See you there!