Amitabha (Amit) Bandyopadhyay is a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor in Civil Engineering. He earned a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from Calcutta University, and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Penn State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York and New Jersey and holds the ENV.SP. certification from the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure. Prior to his academic career, Bandyopadhyay worked as a Structural Engineer and Lead Building Engineer at United Engineers & Constructors in Philadelphia, PA. His career spans professional practice, consulting, and academic leadership, combining technical expertise with a deep commitment to advancing engineering education.

Bandyopadhyay’s service to ASEE is extensive and demonstrates long-term dedication to the advancement of engineering education at both regional and national levels. He has served as Section Campus Representative for the Mid-Atlantic Section since 2016 and was Program Chair for the ASEE Mid-Atlantic Fall 2024 Conference. He also served as Program Chair of the Engineering Technology Division from 2022–2023, Division Chair of the Construction Engineering Division from 2007–2009, and Program Chair for the Construction Engineering Division from 2005–2007. Earlier, he served as Section Chair of the Mid-Atlantic Section from 2003–2004. Bandyopadhyay has been an active author and reviewer for multiple divisions, including Architectural, Civil, Construction, and Engineering Technology Divisions, since 1998. His leadership has encompassed organizing conferences, overseeing peer review processes, mentoring incoming officers, and supporting bylaw and policy development at the section and division levels.

In addition to his ASEE service, Bandyopadhyay has contributed significantly to ABET and other professional organizations. He has served as an ABET Evaluator and Team Chair since 2000, reviewing over 35 institutions, including five overseas institutions, ensuring that engineering programs meet high standards of quality. He has served as an ABET ETAC Commissioner from 2003–2014 and resumed this role in 2022, chairing the ETAC Commission in 2012–2013. From 2018–2022, he served as an ANSAC Commissioner and chaired the ASCE Task Committee on ABET Program Criteria Revisions from 2022–2024. These roles highlight his expertise in program assessment, curriculum design, and engineering education accreditation standards across disciplines.

At the university level, Bandyopadhyay has held numerous leadership positions and contributed to governance and faculty development. He has chaired college-wide and university-wide committees, including tenure, admission, academic standards, sabbatical, and distinguished faculty selection committees. Currently, he chairs the Program and Awards Committee of the SUNY University Faculty Senate. His academic leadership has been informed by decades of departmental and institutional service, providing him with insight into the operational, strategic, and academic needs of engineering programs. He also contributed to national efforts as part of the Volunteer Forensic Engineering Teams for the post-analysis of the World Trade Center collapse in 2002, applying engineering expertise to critical real-world problems.

Bandyopadhyay’s professional and educational contributions have been widely recognized. He was named an ASCE Fellow in 2008, received the SUNY Distinguished Faculty Award in 2004, the Distinguished Educator’s Award from NSPE – Suffolk in 2001, and the ASEE Campus Representative Award in 2001. These honors reflect his sustained contributions to the profession, leadership in engineering education, and impact on both faculty and students.

Statement of Motivation to Fulfill Role:
My long tenure with ASEE since 1993 has provided numerous opportunities to connect with engineering educators nationally and internationally, offering insight into the current state and future directions of engineering education. Participation in ASEE conferences over the years has broadened my understanding of innovations in teaching, curriculum development, and student engagement. At the section level, I have contributed to advancing ASEE’s mission by organizing conferences, mentoring officers, and leading initiatives to strengthen governance. As Zone I Chair, I hope to expand these contributions to the national level, with a focus on revitalizing the Campus Representative program and enhancing student involvement in ASEE activities. I plan to establish semesterly Zone-wide virtual meetings for section leaders to brainstorm ideas, create a Zone-wide Campus Representative task committee to increase the relevance and effectiveness of the program, and form a Zone-wide engineering student committee to encourage student participation and engagement. These initiatives are intended to ensure ASEE continues to serve its members effectively, connecting faculty, students, and institutions in advancing engineering education.

Statement of Relevant Skills:
Serving as an academic department chair for twenty-four years, I have developed strong communication and consensus-building skills, navigating diverse perspectives and areas of expertise among faculty. Leadership roles in ABET have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of program assessment, curriculum standards, and interdisciplinary engineering program requirements. University-wide governance and committee service have strengthened my organizational, policy development, and collaborative decision-making skills. My experience managing large initiatives, facilitating committee work, and coordinating across multiple institutions equips me to serve ASEE effectively at the Zone level, supporting Campus Representatives, advocating for member interests, and promoting high-quality engineering education initiatives across institutions.

Bandyopadhyay’s professional experience, extensive ASEE service, and commitment to improving engineering education make him a highly qualified candidate for ASEE Zone I Chair. Through his leadership, he aims to strengthen communication among section leaders, enhance the role and effectiveness of Campus Representatives, and create meaningful opportunities for student involvement. His vision is to ensure that ASEE remains a dynamic, responsive, and forward-looking organization, continuing to provide value to faculty, students, and institutions across the Zone and beyond.

Sadan Kulturel-Konak is a Professor in the Engineering, Business, and Computing Division at Pennsylvania State University (PSU), Berks, where she has served since 2003. She earned a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering, an M.Sc. in Operations Research, and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Over her career, Kulturel-Konak has combined teaching, research, and program development with leadership roles at the departmental, university, and professional society levels. Her work has focused on interdisciplinary engineering education, entrepreneurship, and innovation, and she has a longstanding record of service in advancing engineering education through ASEE and related organizations.
 
At PSU, Kulturel-Konak has held progressive faculty appointments, starting as an Assistant Professor in 2003, advancing to Associate Professor in 2008, and becoming Professor in 2013. She is the Founding Director of the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development (CEED) Center, which she established in 2011 to support student entrepreneurship, innovation, and the integration of creative thinking into engineering and business education. As a Learner-Centered Culture Fellow since January 2024, she has led initiatives to enhance students' educational experience across all disciplines. Kulturel-Konak currently serves as Program Chair for the Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies major, and she has chaired the Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor since 2008, demonstrating her commitment to interdisciplinary curriculum development and innovation-focused education.
 
Kulturel-Konak has held visiting faculty positions at Cornell University (Operations Research and Information Engineering Department, 2020) and Lehigh University (Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, 2014), reflecting her national engagement and expertise in operations research and industrial engineering. She is also an affiliate and graduate faculty member in the Harold & Inge Marcus Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering at PSU University Park, where she has contributed to graduate student advising and interdisciplinary collaboration since 2019.
 
Her involvement with ASEE spans more than a decade. She has contributed extensively to the proceedings of annual conferences, Zone 1, and the Middle Atlantic Section since 2018, as an author and reviewer. She has held multiple leadership positions within the Middle Atlantic Section, including Section Chair (2017–2018), Chair-Elect (2016–2017), Vice-Chair (2015–2016), and Conference Chair (Fall 2017). She has also served on Conference Program and Award Committees in 2021 and 2022, and has presented papers, led workshops, and organized sessions in ASEE conferences from 2015 to the present.
 
In addition to ASEE, Kulturel-Konak has extensive service in professional organizations. She has contributed to INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and Management Science), serving as Vice-Chair (2012) and Chair (2013) of the Society of TSL Facility Logistics, and as President (2010), President-Elect (2009), and Vice President of Communications (2006–2007) of the Women in Operations Research and Management Science (WORMS) group. She has organized numerous sessions and clusters for INFORMS and IISE Annual Conferences since 2009. She has served as Associate Editor for Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence (Elsevier) since 2022. Kulturel-Konak also serves as an Ecosystem Future Fellow with VentureWell (since 2025) and as an Academic Member of the Material Handling Institution, College Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE, since 2019).
 
Kulturel-Konak has received numerous awards recognizing her teaching, research, and service. These include the 2024 ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Distinguished Teaching Award, the 2024 Outstanding Researcher Award at PSU Berks, the 2024 INFORMS Ambassador Award, the 2022–2023 Advisor of the Year Award at PSU Berks, and the 2021 ASEE Entrepreneurship and Engineering Innovation Division Paper Award (2nd place). Earlier recognitions include the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award at PSU Berks, ASEE Best Paper Awards in 2018 (All Zones) and 2017 (Zone 1), the 2017 INFORMS Voluntary Service Award, the 2012 Outstanding Researcher Award, and the 2011 Outstanding Service Award at PSU Berks. She was also honored with the Take-the-Lead Award from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania in 2011.
 
Statement of Motivation to Fulfill Role:
Service for the greater good is foundational to my personal and professional values. If elected as Zone I Chair, I look forward to collaborating with section officers and conference committees to advance ASEE’s vision of “excellent and broadly accessible education empowering students and engineering professionals to create a better world” and its mission to promote “innovation, excellence, and access at all levels of education for the engineering profession.” I aim to strengthen communication and coordination among Zone 1 sections, provide support and guidance to Campus Representatives, and ensure that ASEE members’ interests and priorities are addressed and enhanced through effective programs, conferences, and outreach.
 
Statement of Relevant Skills:
I bring extensive experience in leadership, program development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. At PSU Berks, I have led the creation of academic programs, directed the CEED Center, and served on numerous promotion, tenure, award, and faculty search committees. I have designed curricula, developed partnerships across schools and disciplines, and contributed to high-quality teaching, research, and service outcomes. My leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and continuous improvement, and I have successfully guided teams and committees at the university, section, and division levels. My experience in ASEE and professional organizations has provided a deep understanding of governance, conference planning, and member engagement, all critical to the role of Zone I Chair.

Sadan Kulturel-Konak’s long-standing service, national engagement, and leadership experience in ASEE, academic program development, and professional societies position her to serve effectively as ASEE Zone I Chair. She is committed to enhancing member engagement, supporting section and division activities, and promoting innovative and high-quality engineering education initiatives across Zone 1 institutions.