Alyson Eggleston is an Associate Research Professor in the College of Medicine and Director of Evaluation at the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at Penn State University. She holds a PhD in Experimental Linguistics from Purdue University, where her research focused on large language datasets and semantic ontologies. Eggleston’s career spans leadership in academic program development, research evaluation, and STEM communication, and she has consistently worked to enhance engineering education through interdisciplinary collaboration, assessment, and mentorship.
 
Prior to her current role at Penn State, Eggleston served as the Director of the Technical Communication Program at The Citadel – Military Institute of South Carolina from 2018 to 2022. In this role, she led initiatives to advance STEM communication across disciplines, supported faculty development, and implemented strategies to improve curriculum alignment with professional and industry needs. Eggleston also worked as an Assessment and Faculty Development Specialist in the Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education at The Citadel, where she supported teaching quality, program assessment, and faculty mentorship. Additionally, she has consulted for the Scientific Research Corporation, providing technical communication and RFP support to federal and private research initiatives.
 
Eggleston’s service within ASEE demonstrates her longstanding commitment to the engineering education community. She has served in leadership roles within the Military Veterans Division, including as Division Chair for the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 terms, Program Chair from 2020–2022, Program Chair-Elect from 2020–2021, and Secretary from 2019–2020. She has also contributed to ASEE through grant-writing support for the ASEE x Department of Energy initiative in 2024. Across these roles, Eggleston has focused on supporting members through professional development, mentorship, and programmatic leadership, while fostering opportunities for student engagement and leadership development within ASEE.
 
Beyond ASEE, Eggleston has held significant leadership positions in higher education and research evaluation. She serves as the National Co-Chair of Evaluation for the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Science (2025–Present) and as an Executive Advisory Board Member for the NIH K Scholar program at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine (2024–Present). These roles have allowed her to oversee multi-institutional evaluation efforts, lead cross-disciplinary teams, and implement evidence-based assessment frameworks that inform institutional and national-level decision-making.
 
Eggleston’s dedication to advancing engineering education is reflected in her professional accomplishments. At The Citadel, she led the creation of a Technical Writing and Communication Program focused on supporting STEM students and faculty. She has also coordinated assessment and program development efforts across multiple units at Penn State, including the College of Medicine, College of Engineering, and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. These experiences have honed her ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders, facilitate effective collaboration, and implement data-driven approaches that improve student outcomes and program effectiveness.
 
Eggleston has been recognized for her contributions to engineering and STEM education with several awards. She received the 2022 Boeing / The Citadel Career Services Center STEM Communication Student Grants, acknowledging her work in supporting students in developing professional communication skills. Her work mentoring students, guiding faculty, and implementing programmatic evaluation frameworks highlights her focus on practical outcomes that benefit both educators and learners.
Eggleston’s motivation to serve as PIC II Chair is driven by a deep commitment to supporting ASEE’s professional and student members. She has consistently advocated for creating opportunities for professional growth, expanding access to workshops, and fostering mentorship pathways. She envisions PIC II as a platform to introduce or strengthen programs that enhance members’ professional skills while also providing students with meaningful pathways into engineering education. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, structured support, and sustainable initiatives that foster a strong and engaged ASEE community.
 
Her leadership style is characterized by inclusivity, evidence-based decision-making, and a focus on collaboration across diverse teams. Through her work at Penn State, The Citadel, and ASEE, she has led multi-institutional committees, coordinated faculty initiatives, and overseen program evaluation and assessment efforts. These experiences have enabled her to refine her ability to manage complex projects, engage multiple stakeholders, and develop programs that are both impactful and scalable.
Eggleston’s scholarly and professional contributions have also emphasized the development of communication and evaluation skills critical to the success of engineering educators and students alike. She has worked to align curriculum and professional development opportunities with industry needs, ensuring that learners are prepared to translate technical knowledge into practical, real-world applications. Her efforts to support faculty in assessment and evaluation practices further strengthen the institutional capacity to measure and enhance student outcomes effectively.
 
As PIC II Chair, Eggleston intends to expand professional development opportunities for ASEE members, create sustainable mentorship programs that support students, and strengthen the pipeline of future engineering educators. She aims to leverage her experience in program development, assessment, and cross-institutional leadership to enhance the reach and effectiveness of ASEE initiatives. Her vision centers on fostering engagement, supporting growth, and ensuring that ASEE continues to provide meaningful opportunities for both professional and student members.
 
Eggleston’s commitment to engineering education, program evaluation, and student mentorship demonstrates her readiness to serve ASEE in a national leadership role. Her extensive experience in leadership, research evaluation, and communication provides a strong foundation for advancing ASEE’s mission and supporting the professional growth of its members. Her work reflects a consistent focus on improving educational practices, supporting students and faculty, and strengthening engineering education programs at both the institutional and national levels.
 
In summary, Alyson Eggleston brings a wealth of experience in STEM education, program evaluation, and leadership, coupled with a long-standing commitment to ASEE and its mission. Her work demonstrates an unwavering focus on professional development, mentorship, and the implementation of effective, evidence-based practices. As PIC II Chair, she aims to expand opportunities for ASEE members, foster student engagement, and strengthen the community of engineering educators nationwide.
 

Michael Kessler is the Louis M. Sardella Department Head and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. His professional path spans multiple universities and roles, giving him a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing engineering programs today. These responsibilities have shaped his perspective on what engineering education needs now and what will be required for the next generation of students and faculty. 

Before joining Johns Hopkins in 2023, Kessler served in a series of leadership positions that developed his administrative experience at various levels. He spent six years as Dean of the College of Engineering at North Dakota State University, where he led strategic planning, supported faculty growth, expanded partnerships, and strengthened academic programs. Prior to that, he served for four years as Director of the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University. He also co-founded and co-directed the Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites, a National Science Foundation Industry–University Cooperative Research Center, giving him insight into how universities, industry partners, and federal agencies work together to advance both research and workforce development. Earlier in his career, he was a faculty member at Iowa State University and the University of Tulsa, where he taught, mentored students, helped expand research programs, and contributed to department service.

Kessler’s involvement in ASEE extends for two decades. He has been an ASEE Conference author and reviewer since 2005 and has held a wide range of leadership positions across multiple divisions and sections. His service began in the New Engineering Educators Division, where he served as secretary, treasurer, program vice-chair, program chair, and division chair. He later held similar leadership roles in the Materials Division, including program chair, division chair, awards chair, and past chair. He has also provided significant leadership within the North Midwest Section, serving as section chair and supporting members across a broad geographic region. He spent four years as a member of the Engineering Dean’s Council Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee of ASEE, chairing the Bronze Application Review Committee for the ASEE Diversity Recognition Program in 2022. His understanding of ASEE’s structure, challenges, and member needs comes directly from these long-term commitments, which have allowed him to build relationships across divisions, learn from members at different career stages, and support the Society’s ongoing initiatives.

In addition to ASEE-specific roles, Kessler has contributed to related professional organizations that support engineering education, research, and leadership. He is currently Vice Chair and Chair-Elect of the University Materials Council, a forum of department heads and directors from materials science and engineering programs in the U.S. and Canada that promotes collaboration and best practices in materials education and research.  He served as President of the North American Thermal Analysis Society, where he helped guide the organization’s programming and outreach, and has been an External Advisory Council member for Iowa State University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He also served for nearly a decade on the alumni board for the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois, where he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees. These roles reflect his broader commitment to strengthening academic programs and supporting faculty, students, and professional colleagues.

Kessler’s work has been recognized through a wide range of awards, including fellow status in ASEE, ASME, AAAS, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the National Academy of Inventors, ASM International, and the North American Thermal Analysis Society. He has received young investigator awards from the National Science Foundation (CAREER), the Army Research Office, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, as well as best paper recognition at the ASEE Annual Conference. His research has been featured in professional forums and national workshops, and he has been invited to participate in programs such as the National Academy of Engineering’s Frontiers of Engineering Education symposium. These accomplishments highlight his impact as a researcher and educator, as well as his ability to represent engineering programs and professional societies at the national level.

Kessler believes that ASEE plays a critical role in supporting faculty, advancing teaching and research, and fostering collaboration across institutions. He views service on the ASEE Board of Directors as an opportunity to contribute to the Society’s strategic direction and help address the issues that most directly influence engineering education today. These include supporting early-career faculty, encouraging innovation in teaching, strengthening connections between academia and industry, and helping members adapt to changes in technology, student preparation, and national workforce priorities. His approach to leadership emphasizes careful planning, open communication, and building partnerships that create long-term value for members and institutions.

If elected, Kessler intends to work collaboratively with board members, division leaders, section chairs, and ASEE staff to support the Society’s mission and long-term goals. He brings experience managing organizations, guiding academic programs, and working with diverse groups of stakeholders. He also brings a perspective shaped by two decades of involvement with ASEE at multiple levels of leadership. His goal is to help strengthen the Society’s role as a national voice for engineering education and to support programs that enhance teaching, research, and professional development across the field.
 

Eugene Kwak has built his career at the intersection of architecture, construction management, applied learning, and community engagement. As an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture and Construction Management at Farmingdale State College, SUNY, he teaches and leads initiatives that link design, technology, and real-world problem solving. His academic work emphasizes hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing students to address practical challenges in the built environment. His professional background as a licensed architect in New York State, along with his experience teaching at multiple institutions, has shaped his understanding of the skills students need as they enter practice and the evolving expectations placed on engineering and design educators.
 
Kwak’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University. These programs grounded him in both design fundamentals and systems-oriented urban thinking. Early in his career, he practiced in sustainability-focused architecture in New York City, contributing to work such as the New Housing New York Legacy Project. His architectural training and professional practice provided him with experience in environmentally responsible design, client coordination, collaborative project development, and the challenges of translating conceptual work into built solutions. These experiences inform his teaching and his broader approach to engineering, design, and construction education.
 
Alongside his academic appointment at Farmingdale State College, Kwak has served in several teaching roles throughout the New York region, including Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute, and New York Institute of Technology. In these positions, he taught design studios and urban seminars that encouraged students to examine the relationship between built form, community needs, and long-term development patterns. His interdisciplinary teaching background helps him understand the variety of pedagogical models used across institutions and the importance of adapting instruction to support students with different goals and learning styles.
 
Kwak has been an active contributor to ASEE through leadership roles at both the division and section levels. He currently serves as Section Chair of the ASEE Middle Atlantic Section and previously chaired the 2024 Middle Atlantic Section Fall Conference. At the national level, he serves as Division Chair of the ASEE Architectural Engineering Division. These roles have involved coordinating conferences, supporting member engagement, and facilitating communication across institutions that vary widely in size, mission, and academic focus. His direct experience in conference planning, program development, and section leadership has strengthened his ability to collaborate across divisions and to manage the types of logistical, organizational, and member-support responsibilities central to PIC II.
 
His work outside ASEE also supports his nomination. At Farmingdale State College, he serves as Faculty Lead for the Honors Research Program, where he guides students working on civic engagement, sustainability, and community-based design. This role involves mentoring student researchers, coordinating project goals, and helping students form meaningful connections between coursework and real-world applications. He also organizes regional workshops for non-operator landowners in collaboration with the American Farmland Trust, where he serves on the New York Advisory Council. These workshops help communities better understand land stewardship, planning, and the long-term implications of land-use decisions. Through these efforts, Kwak has developed experience in public engagement, stakeholder coordination, and facilitating dialogue among groups that bring different perspectives to complex regional issues.
 
Kwak’s professional and academic work has been recognized through several awards and public exhibitions. His project "Togather," a research-based initiative focused on spatial relationships, community interaction, and adaptable design, has been featured in The New York Times and Dwell. He has been selected for exhibitions such as Reinventing Grand Army Plaza and Intersection: Grand Concourse 100 Project, which highlight creative approaches to large-scale design challenges. He is also a recipient of the Green Good Award in 2021. These recognitions reflect his ability to translate research and conceptual design into outcomes that resonate with both professional audiences and the broader public.
 
Throughout his career, Kwak has consistently focused on applied, community-informed learning. He collaborates on design-build projects and other hands-on initiatives that allow students to engage directly with materials, construction processes, and stakeholder needs. His work emphasizes that engineering and design education must prepare students to approach problems from multiple angles, understand context, and work alongside others to achieve practical outcomes.
 
Kwak views PIC II as an essential space within ASEE that brings together divisions representing a broad cross-section of the Society’s work. He believes PIC II plays a critical role in supporting collaboration between disciplines, strengthening applied learning models, and helping divisions share practices and resources. His motivation to serve as PIC II Chair comes from his desire to support faculty who focus on connecting research with real-world application, improving curriculum, and advancing hands-on education. He hopes to help elevate the work of divisions that focus on materials, construction, architectural engineering, design, and similar fields where applied learning and interdisciplinary cooperation are central.
 
His leadership experience includes organizing multi-institutional conferences, coordinating regional workshops, and guiding research programs that involve industry partners, community groups, students, and faculty colleagues. He has experience with systems-level planning, design thinking, and aligning diverse stakeholders toward shared goals. His background equips him to help PIC II divisions navigate operational needs, develop programming that supports members, and create opportunities for collaboration across the Society.
 
If elected PIC II Chair, Kwak plans to help divisions strengthen communication, coordinate events that highlight practical and applied work, and support members who are advancing new teaching models and interdisciplinary initiatives. He aims to help ensure that PIC II remains a productive environment where divisions can share resources, learn from one another, and continue to advance engineering and design education in ways that meet the needs of today’s students and future professionals.