Mary Besterfield-Sacre

Industrial Engineering Department

1040 Benedum Hall

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA  15261

412-624-9836 (Office)

412-624-9831 (Fax)

mbsacre@engr.pitt.edu


 

 

Academic AppointmentS

 

The University of Pittsburgh                                                             

Associate Professor, Dept of Industrial Engineering                                 September 2004 – Present

Fulton C. Noss Faculty Fellow

Research Area: Engineering assessment - to include engineering education, product realization and entrepreneurship, and quality control and assurance.

 

Assistant Professor, Dept of Industrial Engineering                                  August 1999 – August 2004

William Kepler Whiteford Faculty Fellow                                                September 2002 – August 2004

Education Director, Swanson Center for Product Innovation (www.engr.pitt.edu/~SCPI)

 

The University of Texas at El Paso                                                               August 1996 – July 1999

Assistant Professor, Dept of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

 

EDUCATION

 

Ph.D. Industrial Engineering, University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)       December 1996

Dean’s Fellowship School of Engineering, 1995-96;  The Pittsburgh Foundation - Wellington C. Carl Fellowship, 1992-96;  Dean's Pre-Doctorate Fellowship School of Engineering, 1991-92

Thesis:  Development of a Customer-Based Predictive Process Model for Engineering Education

Advisor:  Harvey Wolfe, Ph.D.

M.S. Industrial Engineering, Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)                       August 1988

B.S. Engineering Management, University of Missouri - Rolla (Rolla, MO) December 1986

 

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

 

Besterfield and Associates, St. Louis, MO

August 1988 - August 1994                          Quality Consultant and Associate

      Conducted seminars and company consultations in quality improvement: quality control and statistical process control; experimental design, Taguchi methods, and evolutionary operations.

U.S. Army Human Engineering Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD

January 1989 - August 1991                         Industrial Engineer, Aviation & Air Defense Division

      Conducted research on interactive displays for ground-based mission planning stations for Army aviation battalion/brigade echelons and digital map displays for next-generation helicopter cockpits.  Directed and evaluated contractor development efforts for user-interface specifications of a ground/air-based tactical operations center.

Aluminum Company of America, Lafayette, IN

May 1987 - August 1987                              Industrial Engineering Intern

 

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

Refereed Journal Papers

1.       Besterfield-Sacre, M., J. Gerchak, M. Lyons, L.J. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Scoring Concept Maps: Development of an Integrated Rubric for Assessing Engineering Education,” Journal of Engineering Education , 93(2), April 2004, pp. 105 – 116.

2.       Larpkiattaworn, S., O. Muogboh, M. Besterfield-Sacre, L. J. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Special Considerations When Using Statistical Analysis In Engineering Education Assessment And Evaluation,” Journal of Engineering Education, 92(3), July 2003, pp. 207-216.

3.       Hoare, R., M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, R. Shields, J. Gerchak, D. Eartman, and T. Johnson “Cross-Institutional Assessment: Development and Implementation of the On-Line Student Survey System,” Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 10(2), September 2002, pp. 88-97.

4.       Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., L.J. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Modeling Undergraduate Engineering Outcomes,” International Journal of Engineering Education, 18(2), March/April 2002, pp. 128-139.

5.       McGourty, J.M., L.J. Shuman, M. Besterfield-Sacre, C.J. Atman, R. Miller, B. Olds, G. Rogers, and H. Wolfe, “Preparing for ABET EC 2000: Research-Based Assessment Methods and Processes,” International Journal of Engineering Education, 18(2), March/April 2002, pp. 157-167.

6.       Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., M. Moreno, L.J. Shuman, and C.J. Atman, “Gender and Ethnicity Differences in Freshmen Engineering Student Attitudes: A Cross-Institutional Study,” Journal of Engineering Education, 90(4), October 2001, pp. 477 - 489.

7.       Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., L.J. Shuman, H. Wolfe, C.J. Atman, J. McGourty, R.L. Miller, B.M. Olds, and G.M. Rogers, “Defining the Outcomes: A Framework for EC 2000,” IEEE Transactions on Engineering Education, 43(2), April 2000, pp. 100-110.

8.       Besterfield-Sacre, ME, Atman, CJ, and Shuman, LJ, “Engineering Student Attitudes Assessment,” Journal of Engineering Education, 87(2), April 1998, pp. 133-141.

9.       Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., C.J. Atman and L.J. Shuman, “Characteristics of Freshman Engineering Students: Models for Determining Student Attrition and Success in Engineering,” The Journal of Engineering Education, 86(2), April 1997, pp. 139-149.

Journal Papers Under Review

1.       Chimka, J.R., H. Wolfe, M. Besterfield-Sacre and L. Shuman, “Comparing with Relative Accuracy Two Independent Ordinal Samples,” under review Journal of Official Statistics.

2.       Lovell, M., S. Desai, M. Besterfield-Sacre, L. Schaefer, and M. Mickle, “Development of the RAPID Network,” under review for a special issue of the Journal of Engineering Education on design and entrepreneurship.

3.       Larpkiattaworn, S., and M. Besterfield-Sacre, “An Evaluation of Three Control Chart Techniques for Multiple Attribute Processes,” under review Computers in Industrial Engineering.

4.       Shuman, L.J., M. Besterfield-Sacre, and J. McGourty, “The ABET ‘Professional Skills’ – Can they be Taught? Can they be Assessed?”, under review for a special issue of the Journal of Engineering Education.

Books

•          Besterfield, D.H., C. Michna, G.H. Besterfield and M. Besterfield-Sacre, Total Quality Management: For Business, Engineering, and Technology Students, 3rd Edition, (Prentice Hall, N.J.), 2003.

Book Chapters

·          Shuman, L., B.M. Olds, M. Besterfield-Sacre, and R. Pinkus, “Ethics Assessment Rubrics,” to appear in the Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics. Publication is set for spring 2005.

 

Refereed Conference Proceedings

1.       Besterfield-Sacre, M., E. Newcome, L. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Extending Work Sampling to Behavioral and Cognitive Concepts,” Industrial Engineering Research Conference, Houston, TX, May 16 – 18, 2004 (CD-ROM - 6 pgs.). 

2.       Norman, B., M. Besterfield-Sacre, B. Bidanda, K. Needy, and J. Rajgopal, “A Conceptual Model for Integrating and Synthesizing the Industrial Engineering Curriculum,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Salt Lake City, UT, June 20-23, 2004 (CD-ROM - 12 pgs.). 

3.       Shuman, L., M. Sindelar, M. Besterfield-Sacre, H. Wolfe, R. Pinkus, R. Miller, B. Olds, and C. Mitcham, “Can Our Students Recognize and Resolve Ethical Dilemmas?,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Salt Lake City, UT, June 20-23, 2004 (CD-ROM - 14 pgs.).

4.       Hoare, R., M. Besterfield-Sacre, D. Kusic, J. Beckwith, L. Shuman, D. Ertman, and R. Shields, “An On-Line Cross-Institutional Survey System: Experience And Migration From An Applet-Based System To A Java Server Page System”, Proceedings of the 7th IASTED International Conference on Software Engineering and Applications (SEA), Marina del Rey, CA, November 3-5, 2003 (CD-ROM – 7 pgs.).

5.       Shuman, L.J., M. Sindelar, M. Besterfield-Sacre, H. Wolfe, R.L. Pinkus, C. Mitcham, R.L. Miller, and B. Olds “Assessing Students’ Abilities to Resolve Ethical Dilemmas,” Frontiers in Education Conference, Boulder, CO, November 5-8, 2003 (CD-ROM - 6 pgs.).

6.       Gerchak, J., M. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Using Concept Maps for Evaluating Program Objectives,” Frontiers in Education Conference, Boulder, CO, November 5-8, 2003 (CD-ROM - 6 pgs.).

7.       McGourty, J., J. Reynolds, M. Besterfield-Sacre, L. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Using Multisource Assessment and Feedback Processes to Develop Entrepreneurial Skills in Engineering Students,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Nashville, TN, June 22-25, 2003 (CD-ROM - 8 pgs.).

8.       Besterfield-Sacre, M., B. L. Golish, L. J. Shuman, H. Wolfe, and P. Weilerstein, “The State of Assessment of Entrepreneur Projects,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Nashville, TN, June 22-25, 2003 (CD-ROM - 11 pgs.).

9.       Shuman, L.J., M. Besterfield-Sacre, D. Budny, S. Larpkiattaworn, O. Muogboh, S. Provezis and H. Wolfe, “What Do We Know About Our Entering Students and How Does It Impact upon Performance?,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Nashville, TN, June 22-25, 2003 (CD-ROM - 12 pgs.).

10.   Larpkiattaworn, S., M. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Backpropagation Neural Network for Multiattribute Process Control,” Industrial Engineering Research Conference, Portland, OR, May 18 - 21, 2003 (CD-ROM - 6 pgs.).

11.   Needy, K.L., and M. Besterfield-Sacre, “Engineering and Technology Management Graduate Certificate Program at the University of Pittsburgh,” American Society for Engineering Management Annual Conference Proceedings, Tampa, FL, October 2 – 5, 2002, pp. 217-221.

12.   Besterfield-Sacre, M., M. Lovell, J. McGourty, L.J. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “An Interdisciplinary Certificate in Product Realization: Meeting the Challenges of Industry and Engineering Criteria 2000,” 2002 Frontiers in Education Conference, Boston, MA, November 6-9, 2002 (CD-ROM - 6 pgs.).

13.   Besterfield-Sacre, M., L.J. Shuman, H. Wolfe, A. Scalise, S. Larpkiattaworn, O.S. Muogboh, D. Budny, R. Miller, and B. Olds, “Modeling for Educational Enhancement and Assessment,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Montreal, CA, June 16-19, 2002 (CD ROM - 15 pgs.).

14.   Hoare, R. M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, R. Shields and T. Johnson “Cross-Institutional Assessment With A Customized Web-Based Survey System,” 2001 Frontiers in Education Conference, Reno, NV, October 11-13, 2001 (CD-ROM - 6 pgs.).

15.   Perez, G., L.J. Shuman, H. Wolfe and M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, “Measuring Continuous Improvement in Engineering Educational Programs: A Graphical Approach,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Albuquerque, NM, June 24-27, 2001 (CD-ROM - 12 pgs.).

16.   Bidanda, B., L.J. Shuman, J. Rajgopal, M. Besterfield-Sacre, and C. Rubial, “Flexible Doctoral Programs for International Faculty: A Refined Model with Preliminary Results” International Conference for Engineering Education, Oslo, Norway, August, 2001 (CD-ROM - 5 pgs.).

17.   McGourty, J., L.J. Shuman, J. Chimka, M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, and H. Wolfe, “Multi-Source Feedback Processes and Student Learning Styles: Measuring the Influence on Learning Outcomes,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Albuquerque, NM, June 24-27, 2001 (CD-ROM - 11 pgs.).

18.   McGourty, J., L.J. Shuman, M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, H. Wolfe, C.J. Atman, R.L. Miller, B.M. Olds, and G.M. Rogers, “Using Technology to Enhance Outcome Assessment in Engineering Education,” 2001 Frontiers in Education Conference, Reno, NV, October 11-13, 2001 (CD ROM - 5 pgs.).

19.   McGourty, J., P. Dominick, M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman and H. Wolfe, “Improving Student Learning Through the Use of Multi-Source Assessment and Feedback,” Proceedings of the 2000 Frontiers in Education Conference, Kansas City, MO., October 19-21, 2000  (CD ROM - 5 pgs.).

20.   Scalise, A., M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman and H. Wolfe, “First Term Probation: Models for Identifying High Risk Students,” Proceedings of the 2000 Frontiers in Education Conference, Kansas City, MO., October, 19-21, 2000  (CD ROM - 6 pgs.).

21.   Moreno, M., M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, H. Wolfe, and C.J. Atman, “Self-Assessed Confidence in EC-2000 Outcomes: A Study of Gender and Ethnicity Differences Across Institutions,” Proceedings of the 2000 Frontiers in Education Conference, Kansas City, MO., October 19-21, 2000  (CD ROM - 6 pgs.).

22.   Chimka, J, H. Wolfe, M. Besterfield-Sacre, and L.J. Shuman, “Ordered Logit Modeling of Likert Scale Indications for Outcomes Assessment,” Industrial Engineering Research Conference, Cleveland, OH, May 21–23, 2000 (CD-ROM - 7 pgs.).

23.   Shuman, L.J., M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, H. Wolfe, C.J. Atman, J. McGourty, R.L. Miller, B.M. Olds and G.M. Rogers “Matching Assessment Methods To Outcomes: Definitions And Research Questions,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, St. Louis, MO, June 18-21, 2000, (CD ROM - 16 pgs.).

24.   McGourty, J., L.J. Shuman, M.Besterfield-Sacre, and H. Wolfe, “Improving Academic Programs by Capitalizing on Alumni’s Perceptions and Experiences,” Frontiers in Education, San Juan, PR, November 11-13, 1999, (CD-ROM - 7 pgs.).

25.   Besterfield-Sacre, M., M. Moreno, L.J. Shuman, and C.J. Atman, “Comparing Entering Freshman Engineers: Institutional Differences in Student Attitudes,” 1999 American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Charlotte, NC, June 20-23,1999, (CD-ROM - 12 pgs.).

26.   Shuman, L.J., C. Delaney, H. Wolfe, A. Scalise, and M. Besterfield-Sacre, “Engineering Attrition: Student Characteristics and Educational Initiatives,” 1999 American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Charlotte, NC, June 20-23, 1999, (CD-ROM - 12 pgs.).

27.   McGourty, J., M. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, “ABET's Eleven Student Learning Outcomes (a-k): Have We Considered the Implications?” 1999 American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Charlotte, NC, June 20-23, 1999, (CD-ROM - 10 pgs.).

28.   Bachamada, C. and M. Besterfield-Sacre, “A Model for Implementing Lean Manufacturing,” 1999 Industrial Engineering Research Conference, Phoenix, AZ, May 23 – 24, 1999 (CD-ROM - 18 pgs.).

29.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., N.Y. Amaya, L.J. Shuman, C.J. Atman, and R. Porter. “Understanding Student Confidence as it Relates to First Year Achievement,” 1998 Frontiers in Education Conference, Phoenix, AZ, November 5-7, 1998, (CD-ROM - 6 pgs.).

30.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., N.Y. Amaya, C.J. Atman, and L.J. Shuman, “Implications of Statistical Process Monitoring for EAC 2000 Program Evaluation: An Example Using Freshman Engineering Attitudes,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Seattle, WA, June 21-24, 1998, (CD-ROM - 24 pgs.).

31.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., C. J. Atman, L.J. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Development of Customer-Based Outcome Measures for an Engineering Program,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Milwaukee, WI, June 16-18, 1997, (CD-ROM - 10 pgs.).

32.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., L.J. Shuman, C.J. Atman, and H. Wolfe, “Three Approaches to Outcomes Assessment: Questionnaires, Protocols and Empirical Modeling,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Milwaukee, WI, June 16-18, 1997, (CD-ROM - 11 pgs.).

33.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E, L.J. Shuman, C.J. Atman, R.L. Porter, R.M. Felder, and H. Fuller, “Changes in Freshman Engineers’ Attitudes - A Cross Institutional Comparison.  What Makes a Difference?” Frontiers in Education Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, November 7-9, 1996, (CD-ROM - 6 pgs.).

34.   Bishop, S. and M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, “Freshman Engineering Leadership Team: Student Mentors for Recruitment and Retention,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Washington, DC, June 24-26, 1996 (CD-ROM - 7 pgs.).

35.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., C.J. Atman, and L.J. Shuman, “How Freshman Attitudes Change During the First Year,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Anaheim, CA, June 25-29, 1995, pp. 157-163.

36.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E. and C.J. Atman, “Survey Design Methodology: Measuring Freshman Attitudes About Engineering,” American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Edmonton, Canada, June 26-29, 1994, pp. 236-242.

Non-Refereed Publications and Presentations

Conference Proceedings

1.       Lovell, M., S. Desai, M. Besterfield-Sacre, L. Schaefer, and M. Mickle, “Development of the R.A.P.I.D. Network,” NCIIA Annual Conference, Boston, MA, March 20-23, 2003, pp. 151-156.

2.       Besterfield-Sacre, M., B. L. Golish, L. J. Shuman, H. Wolfe, and P. Weilerstein, “The Relationship Between NCIIA Grant Size and Assessment: The Need for an Evaluation Database,” NCIIA Annual Conference, Boston, MA, March 20 – 23, 2003 pp. 49-52.

3.       Besterfield-Sacre, M., M. Kolar, LJ. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Beyond Accreditation: How to Sustain the Use of Assessment in Quality Educational Processes,” ABET Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, October 31, 2002, pp. 117-122.

4.       Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., T. Pauk, A. Castro, and C. Kubo Della-Piana, “Development of an Evaluation Meta-Database for a Large Engineering, Science, and Math Initiative: Implications for EAC 2000,” 1998 Industrial Engineering Research Conference, Banff, Canada May 9 – 10, 1998, (CD-ROM).

5.       Besterfield-Sacre, M.E. “A Cross Institutional Study of Freshman Engineering Attitudes,” invited paper in Success 101 Newsletter, Fall Issue 1997.

6.       Atman, K.S., S. Bishop, and M. Besterfield-Sacre. “Psychological Type, Goal Orientation and Learning Style: Implications for Retention and Individuation,” Quality Education: Revolution and Evolution - The Role of Psychological Type Conference, Orlando FL, March 7-10, 1996.

Invited Presentations and Workshops

1.       Besterfield-Sacre, M., “Work Sampling of Behavioral Observations for Process-Oriented Engineering Outcomes,” work in progress paper accepted for the Frontiers in Education Conference, Savanah, GA October 21-23, 2004.

2.       Norman, B., M. Besterfield-Sacre, B. Bidanda, K. Needy, and J. Rajgopal, “Integration and Synthesis of the Industrial Engineering Program,” Industrial Engienering Research Conference, Houston, TX, May 16 – 18, 2004.

3.       Besterfield-Sacre, M., “Assessing the Work of E-Team Projects, Courses and Programs,” NCIIA Annual Conference, Boston MA, March 20th 2003.

4.       Besterfield-Sacre, M., “Assessment Database System for E-Teams: A New Web Assessable Database for NCIIA E-team Projects, Courses, and Programs,” invited presentation at the NCIIA Annual Conference, Boston, MA, March 20th 2003.

5.       Shuman, L., M. Besterfield-Sacre, H. Wolfe, R. Pinkus, R. Miller and B. Olds, “Assessing Engineering Students' Understanding of Their Professional and Ethical Responsibilities,” poster presentation at the NSF CCLI Grantees Conference, Washington, DC, September 25, 2002.

6.       Besterfield-Sacre, M., S. Larpkiattaworn, O. Muogboh, L. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Modeling for Educational Enhancement and Assessment in Engineering: What Works, What Doesn’t and Why,” 2002 Quality and Productivity Research Conference, Tempe, AZ, June 5 – 7, 2002.

7.       Shuman, L., M. Besterfield-Sacre, J.R. Chimka, H. Wolfe, and J. McGourty, “Using Multi-Source Feedback in the Classroom Lessons Learned,” invited presentation at the Frontiers in Education Conference, Reno, NV, October 10-13, 2001.

8.       Hoare, R., M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Cross-Institutional Assessment with a Customized Web-Based Survey System,” poster presentation at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ, June 24-27, 2001.

9.       McGourty, J., J. Merrill, M. Besterfield-Sacre, and L. Shuman, “Technology-Mediated Assessment,” workshop conducted at American Society for Engineering Education Conference, Phoenix, AZ, June 24 – 27, 2001.

10.   Besterfield-Sacre, M., L. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Triangulating Assessments: Multi-Source Feedback Systems and Closed Form Surveys,” invited presentation at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO, June 18-21, 2000.

11.   Olds, B.M., M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, H. Wolfe, J. McGourty, R.L. Miller, CJ Atman, and G.M. Rogers, “A Baker’s Dozen: Assessment Methods and Their Strengths and Weaknesses,” workshop presented at the Frontiers in Education Conference, Kansas City, MO, October 18, 2000.

12.   Shuman, L., M. Besterfield-Sacre, and J. McGourty, “ABET 2000 Preparation,” invited presentation to the engineering faculty at the Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, May 15, 2000.

13.   Besterfield-Sacre, M., “ABET 2000 Preparation: Focus on Surveys and Questionnaires,” invited presentation to the engineering faculty at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Grand Rapids, SD, October 27, 2000.

14.   McGourty, J., M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “The Use of Multi-Source Feedback Processes in the Classroom,” Best Assessment Processes III, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN, April 1-3, 2000.

15.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., L.J. Shuman, H. Wolfe, C.J. Atman, J. McGourty, R.L. Miller, and B.M. Olds, “EC2000 Outcome Attributes: Definition and Use,” workshop presented at Best Assessment Processes III, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN, April 1-3, 2000.

16.   Olds, B.M., M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, H. Wolfe, J. McGourty, R.L. Miller, C.J. Atman, and G.M. Rogers, “A Baker’s Dozen: Assessment Methods and Their Strengths and Weaknesses,” workshop presented at Best Assessment Processes III, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN, April 1-3, 2000.

17.   Olds, B.M., M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, L.J. Shuman, H. Wolfe, J. McGourty, R.L. Miller, C.J. Atman, and G.M. Rogers, “A Baker’s Dozen: Assessment Methods and Their Strengths and Weaknesses,” workshop presented at Best Assessment Processes III, NSF Action Agenda Grantees Conference, Washington, DC, October 1-3, 2000.

18.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., L.J. Shuman, H. Wolfe, C.J. Atman, J. McGourty, R.L. Miller, and B.M. Olds, “EC2000 Outcome Attributes: Definition and Use,” invited session presented at 1999 American Society for Engineering Education Conference Proceedings, Charlotte, NC, June 20-23, 1999.

19.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E. and L.J. Shuman, “Assessment Using Engineering Student Attitudes,” invited presentation at Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH, March 5, 1999.

20.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., C.J. Atman, and L.J. Shuman, “Engineering Student Attitudes Assessment,” workshop presented at Best Assessment Processes in Engineering Education Symposium II, Terre Haute, IN, October 16-17, 1998.

21.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., and C. Kubo Della-Piana, “An Approach to ABET Accreditation: Formative Evaluation and Continuous Improvement,” workshop presented at Best Assessment Processes in Engineering Education Symposium II, Terre Haute, IN, October 16-17, 1998.

22.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., C.J. Atman, and L.J. Shuman, “A Cross Institutional Comparison of Freshman Engineering Attitudes,” presentation at Frontiers in Education Conference (description in proceedings), Pittsburgh, PA, November 6-8, 1997 (CD-ROM).

23.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., and C. Kubo Della-Piana, “An Approach to ABET Accreditation: Formative Evaluation and Continuous Improvement,” workshop presented at Frontiers in Education Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, November 6-8, 1997 (CD-ROM).

24.   Waller, A. (Session Organizer), M. Pavelich, B. Eschenbach, D. Culver, R. Felder, M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, C.J. Atman, J. Harb, C.F. Yokomoto, K.A. Smith, and B. Olds, “ERM: Who Are We and Where Are We Going?,” invited presentation at American Society for Engineering Education Conference (description in proceedings), Milwaukee, WI, June 16-18, 1997 (CD ROM).

25.   Kubo Della-Piana, C., M.E. Besterfield-Sacre, C. Hanson, L. Diaz-Rios, and A. Castro, “Formative Evaluation: A Process for Continuous Improvement,” workshop presented 1997 MIE Annual Conference (description in proceedings), Washington, DC, April 17-19, 1997.

26.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., C.J. Atman, L.J. Shuman, and H. Wolfe, “Outcomes Assessment Using Questionnaires, Protocols and Empirical Models: Pilot Study Results,” Best Assessment Processes in Engineering Education Symposium, Terre Haute, IN, April 11-12, 1997.

27.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., C.J. Atman, and L.J. Shuman, “Engineering Student Attitudes Assessment,” workshop presented at Best Assessment Processes in Engineering Education Symposium, Terre Haute, IN, April 11-12, 1997.

28.   Besterfield-Sacre, M.E., “Measuring Freshman Attitudes About Engineering,” Invited seminar for the School of Engineering at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, October 26, 1994.

 

 

FUNDED RESEARCH

 

Funded Research Summary

•          16 grants funded totaling $5,013,801 ($1,447,392 as PI and $3,566,409 as Co-PI)

•          Awarding agencies include the National Science Foundation, the Department of Education, the Engineering Information Foundation, the Sloan Foundation, and the National Collegiate Innovators and Inventors Alliance

•          Contributed in supporting 20 graduate students and 30 undergraduate students in research

•          Collaborated with four engineering programs at the University of Pittsburgh and colleagues from over 24 US engineering schools

 

Funded Grants as Principal Investigator at the University of Pittsburgh

1.       Title: Measuring Process-Oriented Student Learning Outcomes: A Work Sampling Approach to Behavioral Observation
Source: Department of Education, FIPSE-P116B020716
PI’s: with H. Wolfe and L. Shuman
Dates: September 2002 - August 2005
Award amount: $455,598 
The purpose of this grant is to develop software to conduct cost-effective behavioral observation of several process-oriented student learning outcomes. To achieve this goal, we propose to complete the following objectives: (1) Prepare observable attributes for several student learning outcomes, (2) Develop a cognitive, affective, behavioral sampling (CABS) interval(s) for observing these outcomes that provides statistically similar information to 100% observation, (3) Validate the interval(s) for a number of different student learning environments and different disciplines, (4) Create a Windows-based software package of the evaluation tool and its associated statistical analysis for educators and evaluators, and (5) Measure the pedagogical impact that this tool has on student learning.

2.       Title: Why Does it Work? A Study of Successful Gender Equity in Industrial Engineering at the University of Oklahoma
Source: National Science Foundation, HRD-022522, and University of Oklahoma
PI’s: T. Murphy (PI - University of Oklahoma), T. Rhoads, R. Shehab, M. Fleener, and B. Harris
Dates: January 2003 – December 2005
Award amount: Subcontract $45,000 for 2 years (total award amount $899,096)
For decades, there have been a plethora of studies investigating the under-participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  However, the number of female students studying industrial engineering is greater than 30% at most schools and at the University of Pittsburgh and University of Oklahoma the percentage is roughly 41% and 57%, respectively.  Through this research grant we will investigate combinations of factors that contribute to this parity and provide suggestions on how others can increase participation in STEM degrees.

3.       Title: SCALE: System-Wide Change for All Learners and Educators
Source: National Science Foundation, HER-MSP-0227016, and University of Pittsburgh
PI’s: T. Millar (PI - University of Wisconsin), K. Lesley, A. Porter, L. Resnick (PI - University of Pittsburgh), C. Schunn
Dates: January 2003 - December 2007
Award Amount: $35,000,000
Over the next five years, the overall goal of the SCALE program will be to develop, implement, and assess the efficacy of educational processes that enhance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education preK-12 and result in markedly improved student achievement, especially for students from minority and low-income families, including those who are not native English speakers.  As part of this subcontract we are investigating the development of empirical models which may help to determine how best to increase the participation of minority and female students in high school math and science courses. One effort the SCALE program is initiating is the use of mentor/tutor programs in which the target of greatest benefit is the individual who is doing the mentoring/tutoring.  The LRDC at the University of Pittsburgh has asked us to develop prediction models to identify those high school students (e.g. minorities and females) who may benefit as a mentor/tutor. 

4.       Title: Development of a Multi-Disciplinary Fellowship Program in Product Realization
Source: US Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program (GAANN)
PI’s: with M. Lovell, B. Bidanda, M. Mickle, B. Nnaji, S. Nwosu, and L. Shuman
Dates: August 2001 – July 2004
Award amount: $346,284 
Purpose of the grant is to establish a product realization graduate fellowship program.  Monies used to fund 4 graduate fellowship positions within the School of Engineering.

5.       Title: Development of an Assessment Database System for E-Teams
Source: National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance
PI’s: with L. Shuman and H. Wolfe
Dates: May 2002 – December 2002
Award amount: $35,600 
Purpose of this grant is to develop and demonstrate of a web-based assessment database for NCIIA participants and to determine the feasibility of a cross-institutional assessment study of E-Teams.

6.       Title: Perception vs. Performance: The Effects of Gender and Ethnicity across Engineering Schools
Source: Engineering Information Foundation, EiF98.4
PI’s: with L.J. Shuman and C.J. Atman
Dates: June 1998 - August 2001
Award amount: $184,910 
Though a number of studies address engineering attitudes, this project is the first multi-year, multi-institutional benchmarking study of engineering attitudes with specific interest to women and minority groups as they begin, experience, and matriculate through their engineering careers.

Funded Grants as Principal Investigator at the University of Texas - El Paso

7.       Title: Development of a Database System for Assessment Tracking
Source/PI: NASA NTRS, University of Texas – El Paso Internal Grant
Date: September 1998 - August, 1999
Award amount: $5,800
Development of a web-based database system for tracking engineering student attitudes and outcomes for multiple institutions.

8.       Title: Pilot Verbal Protocol Study of Teamwork
Source/PI: Model Institutions for Excellence University of Texas – El Paso Internal Grant
Date: May – August, 1998
Award amount: $20,000
Development and investigation of a verbal protocol evaluation for undergraduate learning and team development. 

9.       Title: Assessing Freshmen Engineering Programs
Source: National Science Foundation RED-9358516 & University of Pittsburgh
PI’s: with Cindy Atman (PI)
Dates: January - December 1997
Award amount: Subcontract award amount $18,041 from University of Pittsburgh.
Purpose of the grant is to conduct a pilot cross-institutional study of freshman engineering attitudes using the Pittsburgh Freshman Engineering Survey comparing differences in students' attitudes across the institutions as they began their freshman studies and as they conclude their first year, in particular to gender and ethnicity.

10.   Title: Development of a Meta-Database
Source/PI: Model Institutions for Excellence University of Texas – El Paso Internal Grant
Dates: May – August, 1997
Award amount: $20,000
Development of a Meta-Database to track and monitor evaluation activities and demonstrate continuous improvement of MIE efforts. 

Funded External Grants as a Co-Principal Investigator

11.   Title: Pillars of Chemical Engineering: A Block Scheduled Curriculum
Source: National Science Foundation, EEC-0342713
PI’s: with J. McCarthy (PI), M.M. Ataai, R.M. Enick, R.S. Parker
Dates: January 2004 - December 2006
Award amount: $1,312,556
The purpose of this grant is to formulate and implement the results from the planning grant for curricular reform.  The goals of the new curriculum are to (a) give the students a strong fundamental foundation by concentrating on the essential core of scientific and engineering basics in a given discipline, (b) enhance systems thinking by helping students to integrate their knowledge across courses and disciplines so that they are better prepared to address open-ended problems; and (c) prepare and provide for continuing education and life-long learning. We hypothesize that an effective method of accomplishing these tasks is to combine ideas from the NSF Coalitions with the well-established K-12 practice of block scheduling. 

12.   Title: The Student Developer:  Using 360 Degree Multisource Assessment for Student Learning and Professional Development
Source: National Science Foundation, DUE-0206630 and Columbia University
PI’s: with J. McGourty (PI – Columbia), J. Seat, L. Shuman (PI - Pittsburgh), and H. Wolfe
Dates: October 2002 – September 2004
Award amount: $494,178
The purpose of this grant is to adapt and enhance the application of the Team Developer for assessing student learning outcomes via feedback solicited from multiple sources to include faculty, advisors, supervisors, peers, etc. thus providing true 360 degree view of how students' learning and development is perceived by others with in the educational environment.  The resultant system will be designated as the Professional Developer.

13.   Title: An Integrated, Modular Chemical Engineering Curriculum
Source: National Science Foundation, EEC-0230613
PI’s: with J. McCarthy (PI), M. Ataai, E. Beckman, W. Federspiel, and R. Parker (I am a senior personnel on this grant)
Dates: January 2003 – December 2003
Award amount: $100,000
Through the use of block scheduling and pillar courses, the purpose of this planning grant is to (a) give students a fundamental foundation by concentrating on the core of scientific and engineering basics, (b) enhance systems thinking by helping students to integrate their knowledge across courses and disciplines so that they are better prepared for open-ended problems, and (c) prepare and provide for continuing education and life long learning.

14.   Title: Seamless Integration of Information Devices: A Focus on Emerging Technologies in New Product Development
Source: National Science Foundation, EEC-0203341
PI’s: with Michael Lovell (PI), M. Mickle, L. Schaefer, Q.M. Wang
Dates: July 2002 – June 2005
Award amount: $420,000 for three years 
Purpose of this grant is to develop a graduate level minor in Product Realization at the graduate level with extensive hands-on experience in the Swanson Center for Product Realization and a research emphasis in development of three-dimensional information devices.

15.   Title: A Conceptual Model for Engineering Curriculum Integration and Synthesis, with an Application to Industrial Engineering
Source: National Science Foundation, EEC-0343080
PI’s: with B. Norman (PI), K. Needy, B. Bidanda, and J. Rajgopal
Dates: September 2003 – August 2004
Award amount: $100,000
Purpose of this planning grant is to lay the foundation for developing an integrated curriculum in industrial engineering. 

16.   Title: Assessing Engineering Students’ Understanding of Their Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
Source: National Science Foundation
PI’s with L. Shuman (PI) and H. Wolfe
Dates: January 2002 – December 2002
Award amount: $74,676
Purpose of this EMD Proof of Concept is to demonstrate the feasibility of developing a web-based system for assessing the engineering students’ ability to recognize and resolve ethical dilemmas similar to those that they might incur in practice.

17.   Title: Engineering Education: Assessment Methodologies And Curricula Innovations
Source: National Science Foundation - EEC-9872498
PI’s: with L.J. Shuman (PI) and H. Wolfe, University of Pittsburgh; C.J. Atman, University of Washington; J. McGourty, Columbia University; B.M. Olds and R.L. Miller, Colorado School of Mines; and G.M. Rogers, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Dates: September 1998 - March 2002
Award amount: $850,000
Purpose of the grant is to examine a comprehensive spectrum of assessment methodologies to determine how each can be best adapted by engineering programs for outcomes assessment; and develop instruments for outcomes where none exist.

18.   Title: REU: Engineering Education – Assessment Methodologies and Curricula Innovations
Source: National Science Foundation - DUE-0121520
PI’s: with L. Shuman (PI) and H. Wolfe
Dates: October 2000 – September 2001
Award amount: $80,000
Monies used to fund undergraduate research experiences for the preceding grant.

19.   Title: Engineering Education – Assessment Methodologies and Curricula Innovations - II
Source: National Science Foundation, DUE-CCLI
PI’s: with L. Shuman (PI) and H. Wolfe
Dates: June 2001 – May 2002
Award amount: $109,999
Purpose of the grant is to further examine a comprehensive spectrum of assessment methodologies for use in engineering programs for outcomes assessment.

20.   Title: Pre-Tenure Leave Fellowship Program
Source: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
PI’s: with H. Wolfe (PI)
Dates: May 2000 – April 2002
Award amount: $25,000
Purpose of the fellowship is to provide assistance to untenured faculty in the fields of mathematics, science, engineering or technology faced with new family responsibilities.

Proposals Under Review

•          Collaborative Research: Assessing Engineering Students' Abilities to Recognize and Resolve Ethical Dilemmas II, NSF CCLI, $383,388 (Co-PI with L. Shuman)

•          IGERT: University of Pittsburgh Engineering Sustainability Program, NSF, $3,386,647 (Co-PI with E. Beckman).

 

 

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

 

Teaching Evaluation Summary

Course #

Course Name

U or G1

R or E2

Semester

Taught

Evaluation

# Students

IE 1029

Knowledge Engineering

U – Sr

E

01-3

4.12

9

IE 1061

Human Factors Engineering

U – Jr

R

00-1

3.92

39

 

 

 

 

01-1

4.22

57

 

 

 

 

02-1

4.20

65

 

 

 

 

03-1

3.35

67

IE 1061/

BioE 1061

Human Factors Engineering

U – So (IE)

U – Sr (BioE)

R

E

03-2

3.98

54

 

 

 

 

04-2

3.68

64

IE 1071

Statistics for Engineers II

U - Jr

R

01-1

4.19

39

 

 

 

 

01-2

4.32

28

 

 

 

 

02-1

4.06

45

 

 

 

 

03-1

4.00

42

 

 

 

 

04-1

3.89

28

IE 1076

Total Quality Management

U – Jr or Sr

E

00-2

4.48

6

 

 

 

 

01-2

3.88

19

 

 

 

 

02-2

4.49

20

IE 1086

Decision Models

U – Jr or Sr

E

00-3

4.43

7

 

 

 

 

02-3

4.25

26

IE 2029

Knowledge Engineering

G

E

01-3

4.12

13

IE 2076

Total Quality Management

G

E

00-2

4.48

15

 

 

 

 

01-2

3.88

9

 

 

 

 

02-2

4.49

25

IE 2086

Decision Models

G

E

00-3

4.43

12

 

 

 

 

02-3

4.25

16

 

1 U – Undergraduate, G – Graduate

2 R – Required, E – Elective

 

 

 Average

4.14

(out of 5.00)

 

 

New Course Development

•          Unstructured Problem Solving

This course consists of two successive projects, each running for about six weeks.  The projects are in the form of detailed, unstructured case studies that require the integration of several IE skills and their synthesis among other proficiencies.  One project addresses a problem within a local context; the other project addresses a more global context.  Students work in teams of 3-4 students. 

•          Knowledge Engineering

This course covers artificial intelligence (AI) techniques that are based heavily on expert knowledge and how they can be used to improve decision making. AI systems to be explored include Neural Networks, Fuzzy Systems, Symbolic AI, etc. This course concentrates on model building given the issues and needs of the expert system and the richness of the data (lecture based).  Graduate level or senior standing.

 

New Curriculum Introduced

•          Undergraduate Certificate in Product Realization (with M. Lovell and L. Shuman)

To improve engineering education in the areas of design, manufacturing, and product creation a new Certificate in Product Realization has been established.  The certificate (minor) consists of an innovative curriculum that includes courses in both the Schools of Engineering and Business.  This integrated curriculum, which includes nine, highly specialized courses, takes advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities and research activities of the Swanson Center for Product Innovation.  The certificate is designed to enable any of our undergraduate engineering students, as well as qualified students in the College of Business Administration with an interest in new product development to participate.  Students take a total of five courses to include one business course, two engineering courses and a capstone product realization course.

•          Graduate Certificate in Engineering and Technology Management (with K. Needy and B. Bidanda)

Many graduate schools have broadened their student markets and contributed to the economic vitality of the community by designing and delivering graduate certificate programs to meet the continuing educational needs of non-degree seeking incumbent professionals.  Engineering/technology management has been found to be one of the top two certificate-level specializations in high demand across the US.  When fully implemented the Graduate Certificate in Engineering and Technology Management hosted in the Department of Industrial Engineering will consist of three separate tracks:  Quality Management, Engineering and Project Management, and Emerging Technology Management (to be implemented).  Certificate participants take five specific courses that include a capstone project course. 

 

Courses Taught Prior to Joining the University of Pittsburgh

•          Total Quality Management and Quality Engineering, University of Texas – El Paso (Fall 97), Graduate

•          Advanced Engineering Economy, University of Texas – El Paso (Fall 97, 98), Graduate

•          Probability Models and Data Analysis, University of Texas – El Paso (Fall 98), Undergraduate

•          Engineering Economy, University of Texas – El Paso (Fall 96, Fall 97), Undergraduate

•          Facilities Layout, University of Texas – El Paso (Spring 97, 98, 99), Undergraduate

•          Statistical Quality Control, University of Texas – El Paso (Spring 99), Undergraduate

•          Human Factors Engineering, Morgan State University (Fall 89, 90), Undergraduate

•          Quality Control, Morgan State University (Fall 90), Undergraduate

•          Production and Operations Management, Morgan State University (Spring 90), Undergraduate 

•          Work Place Design and Measurement Laboratory, Purdue University – West Lafayette (Jan. 87 - May 88), Undergraduate  (Laboratory Instructor)

 

Teaching Improvement Activities

•          Course Development Using Blackboard 5, August 2001

•          Teaching Portfolio Workshop Series, University of Texas – El Paso, Fall 1998.

•          Cooperative Learning Workshop II, University of Texas – El Paso, July 1997 (one week)

•          Cooperative Learning Workshop I, University of Texas – El Paso, August 1996 (one week)

 

 

STUDENTS ADVISED AND FUNDED

 

Post Doctorate Supervision

·     Larpkiattaworn, Siripin (Ph.D.)

·     Halverson, Erica Rosenfeld (Ph.D.)

 

Graduate Student Supervision

Ph.D. Dissertation Students Completed

§          Larpkiattaworn, Siripin (Ph.D.), Multi-Attribute Process Control Techniques, Design and Evaluation, June, 2003.

Current Ph.D. Students

•          Walwender, Renee (Ph.D.), Hazardous Materials Releases During Transportation - Identification of Significant Variables and Development of Prediction Models Using Empirical Modeling Techniques, Expected Graduation May 2005

•          Sindelar, Mark (Ph.D.), Multivariate Statistical Process Control for Correlation Matrices, Expected Graduation August 2005

•          Rudnicka, Ewa (Ph.D.), Expected Graduation December 2006

•          Golish, Brad (Ph.D.), Expected Graduation May 2006

Master’s Thesis Students Completed

§          University of Texas – El Paso

§          Moreno, Magaly. Development of a Linear Programming Model for Glass Recycling (M.S.I.E.), August 2000.

§          Bachamada, Chethan. Development of an Empirical Model for the Planning and Implementation of Lean Manufacturing (M.S.I.E.), August 1999.

Current M.S. Students

•          Newcome, Elaine, Graduation August 2004

 

Current and Past Graduate Students Supported on Sponsored Research

 

Student

Degree

Dates Funded

Supporting Grant

 

1.        Alex Burns

Ph.D.

8/04 - Present

NSF MSP

 

2.        T. Pinar Yilderim

Ph.D.

9/04 - Present

FIPSE

 

3.        Brad Golish

Ph.D.

5/02 – 12/03

NCIIA and GAANN

 

4.        Carl Johnson (EE)

Ph.D.

9/01 - Present

GAANN

 

5.        Clint Marrow (ME)

Ph.D.

9/01 – 12/03

GAANN

 

6.        Gillian Nichols

Ph.D.

1/03 - Present

NSF MSP

 

7.        Mark Sindelar

Ph.D.

9/02 – 1/04

NSF CCLI and ASA

 

8.        Siripin Larpkiattaworn

Ph.D.

8/99 – 12/03

NSF Action Agenda and NSF MSP

 

9.        Alejandro Scalise

Ph.D.

9/99 – 8/01

EIF & NSF Action Agenda

 

10.     Graciela Perez

Ph.D.

9/99 – 8/01

NSF Action Agenda

 

11.     Justin Chimka

Ph.D.

9/99 – 8/01

EIF

 

12.     Dan Harrist (EE)

M.S.

1/03 - Present

GAANN

 

13.     Doreen Jacob (ME)

M.S.

9/02 – Present

GAANN

 

14.     Johnny Ng

M.S.

5/04 – Present

NSF ASA

 

15.     MaryRose Lyons

M.S.

1/03 – 12/03

FIPSE

 

16.     Theresa Dalpiaz

M.S.

1/03 – 12/03

NSF ASA

 

17.     Elaine Newcome

M.S.

9/03 - Present

FIPSE

 

18.     Jessica Gerchak

M.S.

1/02 – 12/02, 1/03 – 7/03

NSF Action Agenda II, FIPSE

 

19.     Charlie Greene (EE)

M.S.

9/02 - 12/02

GAANN

 

20.     John Michelot

M.S.

9/01 - 8/02

GAANN

 

21.     Esteban Anzoise

M.S.

9/00 – 12/00

Sloan Foundation

 

22.     Magaly Moreno

M.S.

8/99 – 8/00

EIF

 

Service on Ph.D. Committees

§          Momani, Amer (Ph.D.), A Framework for Function Specifications to Conceptual Form Translation Tool in Function-Oriented Mechanical Design Systems, Proposed May 2004.

§          Nwaigwe, Adaeze (Ph.D.), Ergonomics and Cognitive Considerations in IT-Enabled Collaborative Computer Aided Design for Discrete Manufactured Products, Proposed May 2003.

§          Ariyawongrat, Poonsiri (Ph.D.), An Integrated Framework of a Lean Activity-Based Scorecard for Manufacturing Companies, Proposed March 2002.

§          Muogboh, Obinna (Ph.D.), January 2002, Supporting Functionality-based Design in Computer-Aided Design Systems.

§          Puthpongsiriporn, Thanit (Ph.D.), August 2002, Cooperative Query Answering for Approximate Answers with Nearness Measure in Hierarchical Structure Information Systems.

§          Ahn, Jiyong (Ph.D. Electrical Engineering), April 2002, A Custom Architecture for Digital Logic Simulation.

§          Chimka, Justin (Ph.D.), August 2001, Accuracy of Statistical Tests for Ordinal Samples Including Likert Scale Indications.

§          Scalise, Alejandro (Ph.D.), August 2001, A Fuzzy Art Neural Network Approach to Missing Data.

 

Service on M.S. Committees at the University of Pittsburgh

•          Adeyemi, Yawende, Six Sigma at Small Manufacturing Companies,  Expected December 2004.

 

Service on M.S. Committees at the University of Texas – El Paso

§          Strom, Jeff. Application of a Reverse Logistics Model for Optimizing Scrap Tire Processing (M.S.Mnfg.E.) December 1998.

§          Fernandez, Robert. Using Simulation Modeling to Understand External Quality Costs, (M.S.I.E.) December 1997.

§          Cardenas, Jesus. The Pyramid of Quality Improvement, (M.S.I.E.) May 1997.

Undergraduates Supported on Sponsored Research

 

Student

Dates Funded

Supporting Grant

 

1.        Donna Towner

1/00 – 8/01

NSF Action Agenda

 

2.        Melissa Rogers

9/99 – 4/00

NSF Action Agenda

 

3.        Ronald Peeler

9/99 – 4/00, 9/00 – 12/00

EIF

 

4.        Shaquana Watson

8/99 – 8/00

NSF Action Agenda

 

5.        Megan Bellak

8/99 – 4/00

NSF Action Agenda

 

6.        Chanese Turner

8/99 – 8/00

NSF Action Agenda

 

7.        Cassandra Morrison

8/99 – 12/99

NSF Action Agenda

 

8.        Mary Rose Nardo

5/01 – 12/01

NSF Action Agenda

 

9.        Beth Lesher

5/01 – 12/01

EIF

 

10.     Eric Householder

5/01 – 8/01

NSF Action Agenda

 

11.     Sara Noles

9/01 – 12/01

EIF

 

12.     Dan Eartman

9/01 – 5/02

EIF/NSF Action Agenda

 

13.     Rob Shields

5/00 – 12/01

EIF

 

14.     Troy Johnson

5/00 – 12/00

EIF

 

15.     Patrick Rice

1/01 – 8/01

EIF/NSF Action Agenda

 

16.     Jessica Gerchak

5/01 – 12/01

NSF Action Agenda

 

17.     Gultekin Kuyzu

5/01 – 12/01

NSF Action Agenda

 

18.     John Turner

5/02 – 8/02

NSF Ethics

 

19.     Jarrett Katawczik

5/03 – 12/03

FIPSE

 

20.     Lindsay Hollowood

5/03 – 12/03

FIPSE

 

21.     Rob Koppenhaver

9/03 – Present

FIPSE

 

22.     Matt Tokorcheck

9/03 – Present

FIPSE

 

23.     Christina Albertson

1/04 – Present

FIPSE

 

24.     Brad Hussain

3/04 – Present

FIPSE

 

25.     Stephanie Carnes

3/04 – Present

FIPSE

 

26.     LeeAnn Williams

3/04 – 5/04

FIPSE

 

27.     Susan Hershberger

5/04 – Present

FIPSE

 

28.     Randy Bunch

5/04 – Present

FIPSE

 

29.     Andrew Franklin

5/04 – Present

FIPSE

 

30.     Jessica Smell

5/04 – Present

FIPSE

 

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

•          Fulton C. Noss Faculty Fellowship (2004 – 2006)

•          William Kepler Whiteford Faculty Fellowship (2002 – 2004)

•          Beitle-Veltri Teaching Award (2004)

•          Carnegie Science Center’s Awards for Excellence, Innovation in Post Secondary Education, Honorable Mention (2004)

•          Outstanding IE Faculty, awarded by the students at the annual ESC banquet (2001)

•          Top Ten Paper, 2000 Frontiers in Education Conference, Kansas City, MO., October 19-21, 2000.

•          ASEE Educational Research Methods Apprentice Faculty Grant (1995)

•          U.S. Army Performance Award (1989, 1991)

•          Order of the Engineer, Purdue University (1988)

•          Magoon Award of Excellence as a Teaching Assistant, selected by upper-class engineering students, Purdue University (1988)

•          Member of Alpha Pi Mu

 

PROFESSIONAL AND SERVICE ACTIVITIES

University of Pittsburgh Related Assignments

School of Engineering

Education Director for the Swanson Center for Product Innovation (September 2000 – August 2004)

ABET Committee (2002 – Present)

•          On-Line Student Survey System and Accompanying Surveys (with R. Hoare and L. Shuman)

As ABET has increased the need for routine student assessments, the School of Engineering was faced with the problem of doing this in an efficient manner that minimized the time required to conduct, tabulate and analyze the requisite surveys on its undergraduates and alumni. To meet this need, we developed the On-line Student Survey System (OS3) to facilitate engineering criteria assessment and cross-institutional benchmarking. OS3 allows multiple engineering schools to conduct customized, routine program evaluations using web-based surveys specifically designed to meet EC 2000 objectives.  Since its inception, eight engineering schools have adopted OS3.  Within the School of Engineering we administer four surveys on an annual basis and plan to administer the alumni survey on an annual basis in the future.  Reports are then generated and sent to the departments for their accreditation purposes.

Department

Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (2000 – Present)

ABET Coordinator (2001 - Present)

Alpha Pi Mu Faculty Advisor (2000 – Present)

Institute of Industrial Engineers Student Chapter Faculty Advisor (2000 – 2003)

•          Gold status achieved in 2001

•          Silver status achieved in 2002

Graduate Curriculum Committee (1999 - 2000)

 

Professional Societies

Memberships

American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)

American Society for Quality (ASQ)

•          Certified Quality Engineer (1998 – Present)

Human Factors Society (HFES)

Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE)

Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences

Activities

American Society of Engineering Education

•          Board of Directors – ASEE Educational Research Methods Division (2001 – 2003)

•          Reviewer for the Apprentice Faculty Grant - ASEE Educational Research Methods Division (1997 – 1998)

•          Chair, Nominations Committee - ASEE Educational Research Methods Division (1998 - 1999)

•          Director at Large for New Engineering Educators, ASEE Educational Research Methods Division (1997 - 1998)

•          Participant in the Forum on Engineering Education Leadership, June 22-23, 2001, Albuquerque, NM

Institute of Industrial Engineers

•          Treasurer and Secretary, Chaparral Chapter (1997 – 1999)

•          Student Relations Officer, Pittsburgh Chapter (2000 – 2003)

•          Faculty Advisor, University of Pittsburgh Student Chapter (2000 – 2002)

•          Participated in National Engineers Week at the Carnegie Science Center (2001, 2002)

•          Annual Industry-Student Night, Chaparral Chapter (1997 – 1998)

 

Positions of Leadership - National Committee Activities

•          NSF MIE Advisory Board (2003 - Present)

•          NSF SUCCEED Coalition External Advisory Board (1998 - 2002)

 

Other Scholarly Service Activities

Journal Reviewer

•          Journal for Engineering Education (September 1997 – Present)

•          IEEE Transaction on Education (September 1999 – Present)

•          International Journal for Engineering Education (March 2001 – Present)

•         Editorial Board Member for the International Journal of Industrial Engineering, Area:  Productivity and Business Strategies (August 1996-November 1997)

 

Conference and Other Reviewer Activities

•          Workshop Organizer for the ICEE Conference (2004)

•          Reviewer for the FIE Conference (1997 – 1999, 2001 – 2003)

•          Reviewer for the ASEE Annual Conference (1997 – 2003)

•          Session moderator for the FIE Conference (1998, 2001)

•          Session moderator for the ASEE Annual Conference (1997 – 1999, 2001, 2003)

•          Reviewer for HP DEI Scholarships (1998 – 1999)

•          Reviewer for the 1997 FIE Conference - Sloan Foundation Travel Grants

•          NCIIA Annual Conference – Roundtable Organizer for Assessment (2002)

 

Other Reviewer Activities

•       Book reviews for Prentice Hall

 

Service to the National Science Foundation

•          Combined Research Curriculum Development Panel Review, July 1998

•          Combined Research Curriculum Development Panel Review, July 1999

•          External Evaluator for Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) Program – SIGSE (February 2001) and FIE (October 2001) Conferences

•          Reviewer for unsolicited proposals CMS program, July 2003

•          Member of Site Visit Team, Engineering Research Centers (ERC) Program, June 2003

•          ROLE Panel Review, February 2004

•          Member of Site Visit Team, Engineering Research Centers (ERC) Program, June 2004

 

 

CONTRIBUTIONS TO DIVERSITY IN ENGINEERING

Support of Students

Ph.D. Dissertation Advisor

•          Graduated one female student with Ph.D.

•          Two of the four students, who have passed their preliminary examinations and for whom I am directing their dissertation work, are female.

 

Funded Research

•          Ten of 22 funded graduate students are/have been female

•          One of 22 funded graduate students has been Hispanic

•          Three of 22 funded graduate students are African American males

•          16 of 30 funded undergraduate research experiences are/have been female

•          Four of 30 funded undergraduate research experiences have been African American

 

External Funding in the Area of Diversity in Engineering

•          Perception vs. Performance: The Effects of Gender and Ethnicity Across Engineering Schools (Engineering Information Foundation)

•          Why Does it Work? A Study of Successful Gender Equity in Industrial Engineering at the University of Oklahoma (National Science Foundation)

•          Development of a Multi-Disciplinary Fellowship Program in Product Realization (US Department of Education’s Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN))

 

 

RECENT CONSULTING ACTIVITIES

CTP Carrera, Carclo Technical Plastics, Latrobe, PA                                    May 2002 - September 2002

CTP Carrera is a full service supplier of custom injection molding services to the automotive, fiber-optics, healthcare and electronics industries.

•          Developed and executed a set of statistical studies for their reagent pack 10-13 and accompanying lid to determine effects of shrinkage on overall quality of reagent pack (Export facility)

•          Initiated a quality control program (Export facility)

•          Conducted a daylong workshop on Statistical Process Control (Latrobe facility)