ENG-23-4200-I3-Magazine_Final Version

8 USD ENGINEERING 08

09 IMAGINE•INNOVATE•INSPIRE

Memories. Milestones. Marvels.

Two years after its founding and with a $2 million National Science Foundation Revolutionizing Engineering Departments grant, USD engineering transformed its program with a focus on change

that reflect a broader view of engi neering practice, including the ability for students and faculty to engage with individuals and com munities impacted by our designs. This meant considering contexts beyond the technical,” says Rob erts. “This appeals to a broader set of students who are increasingly more connected to environmental and social issues, and in turn, changes the demographics of engineering students, the faculty we hire to lead this type of educa tion and the internal programs we support for our students.” As the program continued to expand, the computer science track moved from the College of Arts and Sciences to the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, and new cen ters in cybersecurity, data science and social justice were founded. In 2018, with a generous gift from John and Raffaella Belanich, the program’s physical footprint changed with the opening of the Belanich Engineering Center. From new classrooms to student innovation spaces and labs, the remodel changed the engineering experience and set the stage for continued success.

A Nod to the Past

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by Allyson Meyer

making. For students, this meant learning experiences rooted in other avenues of study. It also paved the way for additional grant opportunities — from funding the launch of the integrated engineer ing program to faculty research on racial equity in engineering education. As the opportunities grew, so did connections to local, national and global communities. Programs offered students a robust approach to an edu cation, everything from water quality studies in Uganda and user-centered design collaborations with nonprofits to ocean plastic pollution research and the exploration of the intersection between art and engineering. “With the grant, we focused on incorporating curricula and processes

he University of San Diego's engineering roots began in the 1980s when electrical engineering launched within the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1995, it moved to the School of Business and a year later the industrial and systems engineering program started. Me chanical engineering soon followed, and opportunities for engineering stu dents continued to grow on campus. However, this was just the begin ning for benefactress Darlene Marcos Shiley, who recognized the need to further the field of study at USD. In 2013, in honor of her late husband, Donald Shiley — a renowned engi neer who invented the tilting disc artificial heart valve — Marcos Shiley gave the transformative founding donation to launch the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. With this gift came the opportunity to define the future of engineering education at USD with Chell Roberts, PhD, lead ing the charge as founding dean. April 2015 marked the dawn of a new era for the school with the com pletion of the first phase of expansion and renovations on the first floor of the school’s space. The much-needed facilities made way for three distinct spaces that integrate cutting-edge tools, equipment and technology into the learning environment — Donald’s Garage, the Ideation Space and the fabrication lab.

“I chose to work at the University of San Diego because I believe education transforms lives, and in turn, our world. Growing engineering during the past 10 years has been focused on putting together the right people, partners and infrastructure where that miracle of transformation can be propelled.” — Chell Roberts, PhD Founding Dean of the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

CHELL ROBERTS, PHD/RICK OLSON, PHD