This month, we sat down with Jason Keith, Dean of Engineering at Mississippi State University and Chair of the Education Division (EDU) of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
1. Tell us a little about EDU?
The Education Division promotes the education of chemical engineers as it pertains to educational research, scholarly teaching, and applications to include the broader endeavors which encompass education, such as those which are part of the Division's programming commitment.
The objectives of the Division are to:
- Provide the focal point for AIChE members with interests in educational methods and their assessment, the scholarship of education including both practice and theory as well as outreach activities regarding chemical engineering education.
- Develop a relevant technical program in education for meetings within the assigned programming areas through discussion with the Committees of the Institute
- Encourage chemical engineering educators to strengthen their own learning in the field of engineering education and on the development of appropriate curricular material focused for the ever-diversifying field of chemical engineering.
- Coordinate and actively work with other entities within the Institute, in particular CEOC and its Committees, as well as other entities external to the Institute (such as ASEE, industry, government agencies, etc.) to foster the goals of the Division and the Institute as they relate to education.
- Recognize educational achievements of AIChE members through awards and honors.
- Provide a high-profile home for programming and activities related to educational research and teaching within the chemical engineering community performed by Institute members.
- Encourage, through programming and other activities, the training of chemical engineering graduate students in chemical engineering educational methods.
- Provide feedback and information to the Board, Councils and Committees of the Institute on education-related issues, on request.
2. What benefits have you received from becoming a member of EDU?
If you are active in engineering education and teaching students, there is something for you in this division. I attend sessions from all around AIChE at the annual meeting, but always try to make time to attend one education division session. By sitting in on these talks, I come up with a few new ideas to bring into my classes and improve them. It’s well worth the investment of time.
3. What opportunities are available for members to get involved? What is a good way for Young Professional Members to get started?
The best ways to get involved are to attend sessions and get to know people. The programming is from Monday through Thursday. On Tuesday in between the morning and afternoon session there is a programming meeting in which you can suggest new session topics and get to know others with similar interests as you. This is also a great place to volunteer to chair sessions. On Wednesday there is a more formal business meeting. The leadership wants to see new members be successful. There is also a future faculty mentoring program to help graduate students and postdocs who have an interest in becoming a professor.
4. When does EDU hold events or meetings?
Most meetings are in conjunction with the annual meeting. The leadership team holds conference calls a few times a year.
5. How does someone become a member?
You can join the division when you renew your AIChE membership. Just select education division. It costs less than what you might spend at lunch today!
6. Who can I contact with any questions or to get more involved?
Membership committee chair, Christy Patton-Luks at luksc@mst.edu
7. Anything else you want to discuss about EDU?
The members are just fantastic people who are very successful in all facets of chemical engineering research and education.
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