President's Message

By James L. Melsa
ASEE President
E-Mail: melsa@iastate.edu

Welcome to the website of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Whether you are a member of ASEE, a prospective member, or just someone interested in engineering education, you will find a wealth of information here.

Founded in 1893, the mission of ASEE to further education in engineering and engineering technology has never been more important. Interest in engineering education is declining, especially among women and underrepresented minorities. At the same time, it is clear that important new skills will be demanded of the global engineer of the 21st century. In recent years, we have gathered significant new knowledge regarding how to better prepare engineers and we must find ways to share it. In fact, we must find ways to respond to all of these challenges.

During the 2006-2007 academic year, ASEE engaged in a Year of Dialogue addressing how we can advance engineering and engineering technology education based on the collective wisdom and experience of ASEE’s more than 13,000 members. This dialogue began with a plenary session at the 2006 Annual Convention and was followed by discussion at each of the twelve section meetings. The ASEE plans to document this dialog, take input from a variety of other sources, and create a challenge to fundamentally improve engineering education. This challenge will be delivered initially in a report tentatively entitled, Transforming Engineering Education Through Educational Scholarship. We will also translate these results into action including implementations of best practices. The effort will be supported and strongly informed by research in engineering education published in the Journal of Engineering Education and with research and best practices that will appear in the new on–line journal Advances in Engineering Education to be launched this year.

During the year, the Society will continue to work with engineering educators across the globe to further discussions regarding how to improve engineering education. It is my goal during this year to ask each of our international programs to identify ways in which they can improve international experiences for large numbers of engineering faculty and students.

Finally, ASEE will focus on the critical need to attract and provide a quality, relevant education to prospective students, especially students who have been historically underrepresented in the profession. Such efforts must be significantly increased to make young students aware of engineering and engineering technology careers. To this end, ASEE has engaged in an effort to work closely with K-12 students and teachers through its K-12 Center and the newly formed K-12 Division. It is my intent that each section meeting during this coming year include an outreach effort to K-12 teachers and administrators modeled after ASEE’s very successful K-12 workshop held before recent annual conferences.

These are challenging times. And now, more than ever, it is important to remain focused on our mission to promote excellence in instruction, research, public service, and practice; exercise worldwide leadership; foster the technological education of society; and provide quality products and services to our members. If you have suggestions on how to accomplish our mission or how to improve the Society, please send them to me or any other member of the Board of Directors.

July 2007

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