The visitors included Matthew Mench, dean of the Tickle College of Engineering; True Brown, associate vice chancellor for advancement; and college academic leaders with specialties in chemical, mechanical, and nuclear engineering, and student success.
Ohio State’s engineering technology degree is different than an engineering degree because of the added focus on leadership skills as well as applied knowledge. This is what sparked the Tennessee contingent’s interest in Ohio State Mansfield’s expanding engineering program.
“This is an industry-driven, industry vetted program,” said Kathryn Kelley, director of the Ohio Manufacturing Institute at The Ohio State University. “This is really, truly hands-on learning. We want students to graduate not only with expertise in mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering but also with the management skills to excel in leadership roles from day one of their careers.
Leadership and Management Skills
Kelley said it is critical for engineering technology students to learn professional skills like leadership and management, because they often find themselves working as part of a team in the workplace and need to be able to handle different roles and job duties.
“We fused the program with business and leadership skills because what we learned is that engineers are often required to be team managers and leaders,” Kelley said.
Zach Ernest, a graduate of the first cohort at Ohio State Mansfield, shared lessons learned during a panel of industry experts. Ernest was a non-traditional student who worked full-time while completing his degree.
He said the professors were flexible and caring and were the reason why he was able to succeed.
“What stands out the most is the hands-on application from professors who truly cared about teaching me,” said Ernest, who works for Ashland Conveyor Products as a manufacturing quality engineer.
Other industry panelists included Mark Cacchio, director of manufacturing human resources for Charter Next Generation; and Leslie Brenner, vice president of operations with Michael Byrne Manufacturing.
Industry Experience
The engineering technology courses at Ohio State Mansfield are taught by Amber Rader and Juan Pablo Rincon, assistant professors of practice in the Depts of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, respectively.
Both discussed the importance of working with the industry and making certain that coursework and lab work align with industry expectations.
One way the program does this is through senior capstone projects, which connect students with industry professionals and real-world challenges.
Rincon said the two-semester capstone project is one of the most important courses for students because “they get to integrate all of the knowledge that they gained throughout the program.”
Two students, Sam Ratvasky and Alec Vanderbilt, are completing a capstone project that involves creating a manufacturing exhibit for the Buckeye Imagination Museum, a local children’s museum that features hands-on, play-based activities.
Both students have traveled across Ohio and as far as Ireland, giving presentations to higher education leaders and industry partners.
Exchanging Ideas
The day was filled with conversation about the intricacies of the degree, lessons learned and opportunities for growth.
Matthew Mench, dean of the Tickle College of Engineering, said the visit reaffirmed the need for the degree.
“There’s a niche for a type of engineer that the industry needs in Ohio and all across the country and this is a similar story as what we have heard from our own employers,” he said. “It’s great to see other programs and it’s also great to learn from a program that has just started.”
The Tickle College of Engineering will welcome their first engineering technology students this fall, and is visiting other land grant universities, including Purdue and Texas A&M.
Learn more about Ohio State’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, including career opportunities and testimonials on the program website.
