from other submissions received by the NSF. In support of pursuing this funding, the SU Mechanical
Engineering Department teamed up with Psychology Depart- ment Chair Kathleen Cook. Dr. Cook’s research in the area of social cognition focuses on people’s self-perceptions and how those perceptions affect them and their experience. To serve as a baseline research for this project, she will collect survey data addressing such issues as retention rates and fe- males in engineering roles. Using this data, the University will be tailoring grant activities to help break down psychological barriers whether real or perceived, thus further enriching the student’s academic and future professional experiences.
Industry Relationships Another important facet of SU's restructured program includes the continuing education and work experience of the engineering professors. "We've collaborated with organizations like the Investment Casting Institute and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to help build industry relationships, to further close the gap between education and industry experience," Han said. The funding provided by the NSF grant will allow for SU faculty members to work in industry facilities for a period of 4 weeks. The Investment Casting Institute supported SU in preparation
of their proposal and will be working with the university to achieve their objectives. The ICI will help facilitate the SU staff in finding temporary work experience in ICI Member foundries. "We feel like the Investment Casting Institute can bring a
lot to the table for this partnership with Seattle University," ICI Executive Director, Joseph E. Fritz stated. "We believe that the Investment Casting Institute has a lot to
offer Seattle University in support of achieving their objectives. From our training programs to facilitating direct involvement between our Members and SU Students and Faculty, the ICI is well positioned to help ensure the success of this program…" ICI Executive Director, Joseph E. Fritz stated. “SU is also well positioned to support the Institute in its initiatives by availing its facility to host regional meetings, thus enabling us to enrich our offering to Members in the Pacific Northwest, while at the same time, exposing future engineers to our industry and prospective employers.”
The Big Picture "Ultimately, we hope this would be a model for universities across the country to implement. A cultural shift in the mindset of the engineer could change the industry. By starting early on in their education and building a skillset for students with a support system of industry professionals would create more desirable candidates for employment, as well as a diverse group of engineers who would want to stay in the field," Han concluded.
Seattle University is the 12th school to become a member of the Investment Casting Institute.
For more information
about the program, contact ICI Executive Director Joseph Fritz at
jfritz@investmentcasting.org.
® For more information, visit
www.nsf.gov. December 2017 ❘ 11 About the National Science Foundation (NSF) grant:
Revolutionizing engineering and computer science Departments. This funding opportunity enables engineering and computer science departments to lead the nation by successfully achieving significant sustainable changes necessary to overcome longstanding issues in their undergraduate programs and educate inclusive communities of engineering and computer science students prepared to solve 21st- century challenges.
Above: Students at Seattle University have access to 3D printers in a student led club.
Below: The Mechanical Engineering faculty and staff at Seattle University.
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