The American Society for Engineering Education Chooses a New Leader

Jenna Carpenter, the founding dean of the School of Engineering at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina, will be the next leader of the American Society for Engineering Education. Dr. Carpenter will serve a one-year term as president-elect beginning in June, followed by a full year as ASEE president.

“It is such an honor to be able to work with ASEE’s great board, members, and staff to continue the work of advancing engineering and engineering technology education,” Dr. Carpenter said. “ASEE offers its members a wide range of opportunities to share best practices, develop new programs and ideas, learn new skills, and explore new avenues of research.” Dean Carpenter has been an ASEE member since 1998.

The organization was established in 1893 as the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education. During World War II, the society created a research arm called the Engineering College Research Association. After the war, the two groups merged to form the American Society for Engineering Education.

Today the society develops policies and programs that enhance professional opportunities for engineering faculty members and promotes activities that support increased student enrollments in engineering and engineering technology colleges and universities. The organization’s more than 12,000 members include deans, department heads, faculty members, students, and government and industry representatives who hail from all disciplines of engineering and engineering technology.

Dr. Carpenter began her role as dean and professor of engineering at Campbell University in 2015. Prior to coming to Campbell, Carpenter was the Wayne and Juanita Spinks Endowed Professor, associate dean for undergraduate studies, and director of the Office for Women in Science and Engineering at Louisiana Tech University’s College of Engineering and Science.

A Corsicana, Texas, native, Dr. Carpenter earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Louisiana Tech and a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Louisiana State University.