About US
Pioneers of Research and Practice
Our program is steeped in consideration for educating the engineers of the future in everything that we do. Every course that we offer includes material from the best thinking available on educating whole engineers to work in a global workplace. And our program is preparing the educators that will bring this dream to fruition. Think and Do.
Our Mission
The mission of the Engineering Education Program at North Carolina State University is to transform engineering education through evidence-based translational research, inclusive pedagogy, and innovative student-centered practices. We support students, faculty, and the broader community by delivering research-informed instruction, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, providing professional development, and preparing the next generation of educators and scholars. Our work advances educational equity, deepens learning, and informs best practices across the engineering education ecosystem.
Our Vision
We envision the Engineering Education Program at North Carolina State University as a global leader in engineering education innovation—advancing knowledge, empowering change-makers, and transforming learning environments. Grounded in inclusive excellence and driven by research, we aim to redefine how engineers are educated to meet the evolving needs of a diverse and interconnected world.
How Are We Transforming Engineering Education?
Collaboration
As a program, we act as a convener and facilitator for cross-departmental and cross-College work at NC State. Whether this means funded research, unfunded research, assisting departments to handle increased teaching loads as the College of Engineering grows over the next five years, or helping departments respond agilely to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the Engineering Education faculty and graduate students are uniquely positioned to bring cutting edge research and practice techniques to bear.
Innovation
Our program is dedicated to providing engineers with the educational foundation they will need to thrive in an evolving global workplace. Our courses contain content from the best information available on educating whole engineers to rise to the challenges of a progressing society. Innovation is an essential cornerstone of our philosophy.
Career Preparation
Our Engineering Education program prepares educators to teach undergraduate engineering classes (at community college or university), conduct industry training, work with museums to present engineering exhibits, do engineering outreach, communicate technical subjects (as in engineering sales), and other related activities. We equip our graduates will the pedagogy, disciplinary knowledge and practical experience needed to excel in their careers.
Our History
The origins of Engineering Education at NC State began in the early 1980’s with the work of Dr. Richard Felder, Hoechst Celanese Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering at NC State University. Dr. Felder spent many years as a successful chemical engineer and researcher, including work with the Atomic Energy Research Establishment and Brookhaven National Laboratory before shifting his focus to education and education research, specifically student centered instructional models. Engineering Education at the university is built upon Dr. Felder’s contributions.