Education

CU Engineering Magazine News 2025

Hanna Nordwall — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 22:01:06 +0000

CU Engineering Magazine News 2025 Hanna Nordwall Fri, 06/06/2025 - 16:01

Alumna Sarah Gillis speaks to CU 51��ý aerospace students about her experience as an astronaut.

Astronaut comes home to 51��ý

Sarah Gillis

Sarah Gillis (AeroEngr’17), an astronaut on the successful Polaris Dawn SpaceX crew, visited CU 51��ý in November.

During a standing-room-only appearance at Fiske Planetarium, she shared with students what life was like in space for the four-member crew, and provided details of the science and engineering that brought them to orbit and safely home.

Gillis, whose post showing her playing her violin aboard the Polaris Dawn went viral, credits a space class at CU 51��ý for non-aerospace majors as being a key step in her remarkable journey.

College welcomes largest PhD class

The College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado 51��ý celebrated a milestone in fall 2024, welcoming its largest-ever cohort of doctoral student. With more than 1,100 students currently pursuing PhDs and a 25% rise in PhD enrollment year over year, CU Engineering continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in graduate education, particularly among women and students from minoritized communities.

The incoming class includes a record percentage of female doctoral students, with women making up 37% of new PhD enrollees, surpassing the national average of 29%, according to data from the American Society for Engineering Education. CU 51��ý stands as the top large public institution for the percentage of women doctoral students enrolled — among institutions with more than 1,000 PhD students — holding a lead over peer institutions.

The overall PhD enrollment at CU Engineering now has 10% of its students from minoritized communities, higher than the national average of 7%.

Four with CU ties elected to National Academy of Engineering

Scott Diddams, professor of electrical, computer and energy engineering, and Hanspeter Schaub, chair of the Ann and HJ Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

According to the NAE website, “election is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. NAE members are among the world’s most accomplished engineers from business, academia, and government.”

Also elected as part of the 2025 class were Dan Frangopol, professor emeritus of civil, environmental and architectural engineering and current faculty member at Lehigh University, and alumnus Chuck Hull (EngrPhys’61).

Arati Prabhakar, Ph.D., Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), left, awards Kristina M. Johnson the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during an awards ceremony in Washington, DC. Photo by Ryan K. Morris

Former faculty member earns presidential medal

Kristina M. Johnson, who served as a professor of electrical and computer engineering at CU 51��ý from 1985 to 1999, was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President Joe Biden.

At a ceremony held in Washington, D.C., Johnson and eight others received the nation’s highest honor recognizing exemplary achievement and leadership in science and technology.

Johnson distinguished herself through groundbreaking research in optoelectronics, photonics and nanotechnology that led to 46 U.S. patents. Her innovations have contributed to advancements in the sustainable energy, manufacturing, quantum computing and medical fields.

Johnson was the president of Ohio State University from 2020 to 2023. From 2017 to 2020, she was chancellor of the State University of New York.

Landmark bill supports Colorado water quality

Evan Thomas

In summer 2024, Gov. Jared Polis signed into law Colorado Senate Bill SB24-037, titled “Study Green Infrastructure for Water Quality Management.” Sponsored by Sens. Cleave Simpson and Jeff Bridges, along with Reps. Mike Lynch and Karen McCormick, this legislation aims to enhance water quality and environmental sustainability in Colorado.

The bill directs the team at the University of Colorado 51��ý Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience and Colorado State University’s Energy Institute to work directly with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to identify new pathways to restore rivers and watersheds in Colorado, improve water quality, and reduce emissions associated with water and wastewater treatment.

“It has been a rewarding experience to propose this idea and work with Sen. Simpson and other elected representatives and state officials in Colorado to bring it to life, and we’re looking forward to what this could mean for Colorado’s water and air,” said Evan Thomas, director of the Mortenson Center.

Zoya Popovic

Jerome Fox

Two professors recognized by National Academy of Inventors

Distinguished Professor Zoya Popovic was among 162 inventors named 2023 fellows of the NAI. Election as a fellow in the academy is the highest professional distinction awarded to inventors.

Jerome Fox, an associate professor of chemical and biological engineering, was also named a senior member of the NAI. Senior membership recognizes faculty, scientists and administrators for their contributions to innovation, including patents, licensing, commercialization and technologies aimed at benefiting society.

Engineering Education Program launched

The College of Engineering and Applied Science has introduced a new program aimed at improving the education of engineers at all levels.

The Engineering Education Program, which welcomed its first cohort in fall 2024, offers a PhD degree, with the goal of eventually adding graduate and undergraduate education offerings.

The program is a collaboration with the School of Education and other discipline-based education research groups at CU 51��ý. It offers a flexible curriculum designed for students with a background in engineering who want to conduct research in engineering education and learn to effectively teach engineering subjects.

New community college pathway launches

Colorado Mountain College students are now eligible for guaranteed admission to the University of Colorado 51��ý’s College of Engineering and Applied Science if they complete four specific courses at CMC, thanks to a new partnership between the two institutions. The agreement creates a guaranteed admission and transfer pathway for CMC students, enabling a seamless transition for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering at CU 51��ý.

Through this innovative guaranteed admission agreement, students enrolled at CMC — including high school students taking concurrent coursework — will have access to a clear path toward admission at CU 51��ý’s top-ranked engineering school, provided they meet specific academic requirements. This agreement marks a vsignificant milestone in expanding access to engineering education for students in the mountain communities CMC serves.

News of the past year in CU Engineering...

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Message from the Dean 2025

Michelle Wiese — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:16:58 +0000

Message from the Dean 2025 Michelle Wiese Fri, 06/06/2025 - 11:16

Dear CU Engineering alumni and friends,

As I reflect on the past year, I am more thankful than ever to be part of a strong, resilient community that values higher education and the work we do every day to improve lives. If you are reading this in print or online, that community includes you. Whether you volunteer with our college or campus, contribute through Buffs All In or just follow the latest news on our websites or social media, we thank you for your support.

I am extremely proud of the College of Engineering and Applied Science’s accomplishments over the past year, and appreciate the opportunity to share them with you in this edition of our magazine.

Education: We are so excited about the impact that our Engineering Connections residential community and Lattice Scholars Program are having on undergraduate student retention. Seeing these students excel in their educational journeys and continue on to successful careers is why we are here. We could not be more appreciative of the donors, employees and student leaders who are making it happen.

We also welcomed our largest-ever class of PhD students in fall 2024, something that advances both our education and research missions. This 25% increase year-over-year in PhD enrollment both gives us a reputational boost and accelerates the value we provide through our research.

Research: We wanted to use this edition to highlight just a few of the ways our research is having an impact in the world. Whether it is tackling serious challenges to infrastructure in the U.S., taking quantum engineering from theory to practice or designing technology for a local couple to use in their own backyard, our faculty and students always have an eye on how we can engineer sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life in our state, nation and world.

Innovation: Our research is leading directly to economic impact. In 2024, 35 startups were launched out of labs and research projects at CU 51��ý — 22 with ties to CU Engineering. We’re commercializing technologies in everything from healthcare to aerospace, creating jobs and continuing to establish CU 51��ý as a leader in innovation. Check out our video highlighting some of our entrepreneurial success stories — truly a must-watch.

Again, thank you for being a valued part of the CU Engineering community. I hope you will find a way to engage with us in the coming year — maybe at one of our many regional alumni events or our Homecoming Tailgate. I always look forward to connecting with alumni and friends to learn more about what inspires you.

Go Buffs!

Keith Molenaar
Dean

@KeithMolenaar

Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, reflects on the past year's accomplishments and impacts around education, research and innovation.

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Disaster risk workshop sparks collaboration, innovation

Susan Glairon — Wed, 21 May 2025 22:35:36 +0000

Disaster risk workshop sparks collaboration, innovation Susan Glairon Wed, 05/21/2025 - 16:35

Amir Behzadan, professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering and fellow of the Institute of Behavioral Science, and Mary Angelica Painter are developing more effective, engaging ways to keep people safe during extreme events.

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Día de Ciencias inspires future engineers through hands-on STEM activities

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 12 May 2025 16:02:42 +0000

Día de Ciencias inspires future engineers through hands-on STEM activities Charles Ferrer Mon, 05/12/2025 - 10:02

Charles Ferrer

CU 51��ý’s chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) welcomed Hispanic middle and high school students from across the Denver metro area for the third annual Día de Ciencias in early-April. Through hands-on activities in water quality, robotics and STEM, students explored the possibilities of engineering and saw that a future in science and technology is possible.

Middle school students were tasked to create a prosthetic leg in an imaginary zombie apocalypse and competed against other teams to see who had the strongest and most stable leg.

While the number of Hispanic students earning engineering degrees in the United States has nearly doubled over the past decade, significant gaps in representation and access to STEM education remain.

“I didn’t even know what engineering was growing up,” Cindia Denova Garduno, a recent architectural engineering graduate, said.

Her story represents the challenge that Día de Ciencias or Day of Science aims to solve—how can Hispanic youth pursue engineering if they’ve never been exposed to it?

In being part of the solution, the SHPE partnered with CU Engineering’s Integrated Teaching and Learning Program (ITLP), to make Día de Ciencias a reality for the young attendees. SHPE also received generous funding support from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering to make this venue possible.

Led by Arly Diaz de Leon, an environmental engineering student and the event’s main organizer for the past three years, the SHPE and ITLP worked together to plan STEM activities and workshops for students from the 51��ý Valley School District and JeffCo Public Schools. The collaboration hopes to expand their outreach to more schools in future years.

“One of my favorite highlights from the event was seeing both the students and parents excited to learn about the world of engineering,” Diaz de Leon said. “Hearing amazing input from parents and their eagerness to already sign up for next year’s Día de Ciencias was so fulfilling. It’s proof that even one day of exposure can spark a lifelong interest in STEM.”

Throughout the day, students were divided into groups for hands-on engineering activities tailored to their grade levels.

K-2nd graders explored water science by building levees and water filtration systems.

3rd-6th graders practiced coding skills with micro technology.

7th-12th graders tackled the ‘Zombie Got My Leg’ challenge, where teams designed and built prosthetic legs out of materials like cardboard, bubble wrap, PVC pipe and tape, simulating how engineers work creatively within real-world constraints.

Behind the scenes: A collaborative effort

The event relied on a team of SHPE student members working behind the scenes.

Don’t let imposter syndrome get in the way of reaching your fullest potential. Don’t let mistakes get in the way of reaching your goals, as progress and learning is never truly linear!”

Arly Diaz de Leon

“This year’s Día de Ciencia was a lot of fun and successful,” Denova Garduno said. “On the day of the event, I was mainly involved with making sure everything was set up properly to ensure the best experience for our volunteers and the wonderful families that joined us.”

The event not only exposed students to engineering fundamentals but also emphasized family involvement in the college journey. During the event, parents had opportunities to attend workshops on college readiness and financial aid, which is critical for the transition from high school to college.

Keriann Jacobson, education and outreach coordinator at the ITLP, emphasized the importance of the collaborative approach taken between SHPE and the college.

“We are proud to partner with SHPE in creating hands-on engineering experiences that spark a passion for STEM in the next generation of engineers,” Jacobson said. “This allowed us to engage not only with students, but also with their families, bringing parents into the conversation and making them active participants in their children’s STEM education.”

Personal journeys in STEM

For Diaz de Leon, the journey leading up to her leadership of Día de Ciencias has been personal. As a first-generation college student, she participated in CU 51��ý’s Pre Collegiate Development Program, which helped build the leadership skills she now used to inspire others, she said. After initially pursuing chemical engineering, her experience working in an environmental engineering lab and seeing tangible impacts on public health policy motivated her to switch majors.

Denova Garduno (left) and Diaz De Leon (right) attending the 2024 SHPE Conference in Anaheim, Calif.

“Being a part of SHPE has opened up so many opportunities for me as an underrepresented woman in engineering,” Diaz de Leon said. “Leading this event has given me the courage to advocate for myself and others, both in school and as I look toward my future career.”

Denova Garduno shares this commitment to representation and mentorship.

“Helping organize Día De Ciencia motivated me to continue pushing forward in my career by reminding me of one of the most important goals as a Latina in STEM,” she explained, “which is to be an engineer who can help future Hispanic students believe that they, too, belong in STEM.”

Denova Garduno recalled how she had a wonderful math teacher, Ms. Mejia, who noted how good she was in math in middle school. That left a very important mark to her which shaped her future as an engineer. From that moment, she was inspired to create opportunities for young students to explore engineering.

“There is so much pride and joy in seeing the children participate in STEM activities,” Denova Garduno said. “It reinforces how powerful it is for young students to work together as a team to create something they can test and be proud of.”

Diaz de Leon hopes to pass down the lessons she’s learned to the next generation of SHPE leaders and to the young students they serve.

“We have overcome many hurdles just by being here,” Diaz de Leon said.

“And we should never forget that we all started as eager young kids, curious about the world of STEM.”

CU 51��ý’s chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers welcomed Hispanic middle and high school students from across the Denver metro area for the third annual Día de Ciencias this spring semester.

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The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers hosts middle & high school students for a Dia de Ciencias in April 2025.

CU 51��ý launching master’s degrees in artificial intelligence

Emily Adams — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +0000

CU 51��ý launching master’s degrees in artificial intelligence Emily Adams Wed, 04/23/2025 - 07:00

To meet increased workforce demand, the Department of Computer Science is introducing a Master of Science degree in AI that will be available both in-person and online through Coursera.

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Engineering Projects Expo 2025: Explore new inventions and technologies created by CU Engineering students

Michelle Wiese — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:45:18 +0000

Engineering Projects Expo 2025: Explore new inventions and technologies created by CU Engineering students Michelle Wiese Mon, 04/21/2025 - 09:45

On Friday, April 25 at the University of Colorado 51��ý, engineering students will present their capstone design projects at the annual Engineering Projects Expo. This year's event will feature projects from mechanical engineering; computer science; electrical, computer and energy engineering; biomedical engineering; and civil, environmental and architectural engineering.

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CU 51��ý further solidifies ranking as top 20 graduate engineering program

Emily Adams — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:50:17 +0000

CU 51��ý further solidifies ranking as top 20 graduate engineering program Emily Adams Tue, 04/08/2025 - 07:50

The University of Colorado 51��ý is one of the top 20 engineering graduate programs in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings for 2025-26.

Learn more

Explore our graduate programs

Latest undergraduate rankings

Visit our Facts & Figures page

Campus-wide rankings

CU 51��ý is a tier 1 university (“R1") with “very high research activity” as designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The R1 classification includes less than 3 percent of educational institutes in the U.S.

CU 51��ý’s engineering graduate program came in at No. 11 when compared to its public university peers. The college earned a No. 20 overall ranking when compared to both public and private universities, tied with Harvard University, the University of Southern California and the University of Washington.

Dean Keith Molenaar said he is proud to see the college continuing to solidify its reputation as a leader in graduate education. More than 1,100 PhD students and nearly 2,000 master’s students are currently enrolled in engineering graduate programs, which include traditional and professional master's degrees, as well as doctoral programs.

“Our reputation isn’t just about our world-class degree programs – it’s also a reflection of the impact our students are having in their careers after they leave CU 51��ý, whether it’s through entrepreneurship, academia or industry,” Molenaar said. “Our graduate students go on to lead successful startup companies, pursue their own exciting research careers and so much more.”

In the engineering specialty rankings, six CU Engineering degree programs were ranked in the top 20 amongst public institutions – including two in the top 10.

Also ranked were biomedical engineering (No. 21), biological engineering (No. 21), electrical engineering (No. 22) and materials science and engineering (No. 26).

“I chose CU 51��ý because it aligned with my interests, and it felt like a place where I could actually build a life,” said Céu Gómez-Faulk, a doctoral student in aerospace engineering sciences. “Everything feels collaborative, not competitive, and my advisors have supported both my academic and personal growth.”

To calculate its rankings, U.S. News and World Report looks at a range of data about graduate programs, including research activity, peer and recruiter assessments, and student selectivity. Read the full methodology.

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Electrical and computer engineers spark STEM curiosity at 2025 Denver Metro Science Fair

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 15:10:34 +0000

Electrical and computer engineers spark STEM curiosity at 2025 Denver Metro Science Fair Charles Ferrer Mon, 03/10/2025 - 09:10

Faculty and students from the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering volunteered at the 2025 Denver Metro Science Fair and engaged with middle and high school students with hands-on activities such as building paper circuits and changing LED colors. The event sparked curiosity and excitement, inspiring young aspiring engineers.

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CU 51��ý, Western Colorado launching biomedical engineering partnership in fall 2025

Emily Adams — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:01:40 +0000

CU 51��ý, Western Colorado launching biomedical engineering partnership in fall 2025 Emily Adams Wed, 03/05/2025 - 11:01

The University of Colorado 51��ý’s College of Engineering and Applied Science has found great success with its biomedical engineering degree, which launched in 2020. Last year, undergraduate applications for the program were up 32%.

Building on that student interest, as well as industry demand, CU 51��ý and Western Colorado University’s Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering will launch a biomedical engineering degree in Gunnison starting in fall 2025.

“Today, and for the foreseeable future, the U.S. needs more engineers to create sustainable solutions to address society’s most challenging problems. Our Western-CU 51��ý partnership students have the skills and sensibilities to make a positive impact on the Western Slope and Colorado,” said Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Students in the Western-CU 51��ý Partnership Program enjoy the personalized learning of a small, rural university and the resources and rigor of a top-tier engineering school, with access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment.

“Western’s partnership with CU 51��ý continues to create incredible opportunities for our students. Expanding it to include biomedical engineering speaks volumes about Western’s commitment to training our students for high-impact careers in areas that will fuel Colorado’s economy,” Western’s President Brad Baca said. “We’re proud to collaborate on a program that will produce engineers ready to meet the challenges of the future."

This particular biomedical engineering program will focus on functional biomechanics and equipping students with the knowledge and hands-on experience to innovate in the areas of physical trauma recovery, orthopedic design, sports science and rehabilitation engineering.

Faculty member Mel Peddle is obtaining her EMT certificate to ensure her trauma knowledge is as current as possible. Peddle is particularly excited for the hands-on aspects of the program.

“Our BME program will have a trauma focus under the broader umbrella of functional biomechanics,” she said. “Students and faculty will work with local organizations like the hospital and emergency medical services for community-based projects as part of the curriculum.”

The degree is highly interdisciplinary and integrates principles of engineering, biology and medicine to create solutions related to everything from prosthetics to dialysis. Students will be prepared for careers or graduate/medical school upon graduation.

The Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science and Engineering at Western Colorado University.

Although the first cohort of students hasn’t officially begun yet in Gunnison, Interim Director Kevin Terry notes, “our upcoming biomedical degree program has already allowed us to work with Western’s High Altitude Exercise Physiology program to develop methods for tracking swim stroke patterns in the pool for swimming injury investigation.”

Because the WCU campus sits at an elevation of 8,000 feet, biomedical engineering students in Gunnison will have the unique opportunity to study and design solutions for athletes and patients living at high elevation.

Since getting its start in 2019, the Engineering Partnership Program has seen significant success in the mechanical engineering major, with valuable community and industry collaborations and employment contracts signed by 95% of 2024 graduates, who earn an average starting salary of $78,000.

“As the state’s flagship university, we are proud to partner with Western to serve Colorado through producing some of the most highly qualified engineers,” Molenaar said.

Terry agreed, saying, “Our engineering program offers a unique blend of hands-on learning and rigorous coursework that empowers our students to graduate as highly competitive professionals.”

Applications are still open for the first cohort of biomedical engineering majors with the Western-CU 51��ý Engineering Partnership Program, who will start in fall 2025 with a planned graduation date of spring 2029.

A degree in aerospace engineering in Gunnison is also slated to welcome its first cohort in fall 2026.

Questions can be directed to Western Colorado University Admissions or radyschool@western.edu.

The biomedical engineering program in Gunnison will focus on functional biomechanics and equipping students with the knowledge and hands-on experience to innovate in the areas of physical trauma recovery, orthopedic design, sports science and rehabilitation engineering.

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The first cohort of biomedical engineering students at CU 51��ý graduated in spring 2023. Since then, the program has grown to more than 350 undergraduates.

Water Reuse Academy 2025

Michelle Wiese — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 16:30:52 +0000

Water Reuse Academy 2025 Michelle Wiese Wed, 02/05/2025 - 09:30

Join us on April 1-3 for the Water Reuse Academy at the University of Colorado 51��ý. Register by March 14.

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