07/13/2026
I am Back home from an unforgettable trip to Boise, Idaho for the Engineering Unleashed Emerging Engineering Educator Workshop!
I have been fortunate to be spending the week with a passionate group of PhD students and Postdocs from all over the United States, representing so many different corners of engineering. It was such a refreshing reminder of why I loved engineering in the first place. And huge thank you to our amazing facilitators, Dr. Karen High, Dr. Rachel Kajfez, and Dr. Reva Elise Johnson, for creating a space that felt both deeply encouraging and practical.
For those in my network who might not be familiar, much of our work was centered around the framework for developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset. It’s an approach to engineering education that goes far beyond pure technical skills, focusing on principles called the 3Cs:
1. Curiosity: Pushing us to ask better questions about complex, changing societal challenges.
2. Connections: Helping us integrate insights across totally different disciplines.
3. Creating Value: Ensuring the work we do actually meets human needs and leaves a positive impact.
I’ve come to see and used this framework as so much more than a teaching tool, because it’s really a guide for character, leadership, and purposeful problem-solving. If you haven't explored Engineering Unleashed or the framework yet, I highly recommend checking it out! It’s a game-changer for how we think about preparing the next generation of entrepreneurial minded engineers.
https://engineeringunleashed.com/framework
I’m walking away from Boise with sharper tools, a clearer vision for my future as an educator/researcher, and a wonderful new network of friends and peers. Excited to bring these ideas back into my daily work and keep creating value!
Lastly, thanks to the KEEN foundation for organizing the fellowship opportunity for us and making the travel and participation entirely free. Please keep on supporting the next generation of engineering students and educators.
