As an organization ASME is deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the global engineering community. Part of fulfilling this commitment centers on the college student population and an initiative to encourage inclusivity. The Community College Engineering Pathway (CCEP) program was created to attract, develop, and enhance the experience and accelerate the careers of aspiring engineers and technicians from community college, underrepresented, and non-traditional student backgrounds.
The CCEP program includes inspired engineering student leaders from community colleges across the country and their dedicated faculty advisors.
Faculty Advisor Council
The Faculty Advisor Council (FAC) is comprised of key faculty from the Community College Engineering Pathway program initiative. The Council will further the progress of the pilot programs by:
- Providing strategic leadership
- Advocating for relationships internal and external groups (e.g., academic institutions, corporations, nonprofits)
- Engaging students and other faculty
The primary goal of the FAC is to establish, enhance, and expand the number of thriving ASME student sections at community colleges.
Meet the FAC members
Dallas College
Dr. Francis (Uichung) Cho, Professor/Engineering Chair, is an accomplished educator, entrepreneur, and specialist in 3D Technology and Electro-Mechanical System Design. He earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics from Yonsei University. His focus is on integrating his past experiences for deep learning with 3D technology.
Savitha Pinnepalli, Department Chair, Engineering, Computer Sciences, and Information Technology, is a passionate educator with over twenty years of teaching experience. She has an M.S. in Computer Engineering from Louisiana State University.
Dr. Jason Treadway, Director, STEM Institute, has a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from Imperial College London, M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, and B.S. in Mathematics from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Dr. Treadway was previously the director of education at the Frontiers of Flight Museum and lead educator for the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
Red Rocks Community College
Ms. Liz Cox is the Director of Innovation and Engagement and is focused on building post-secondary opportunities that support community college students to thrive in an uncertain economy. She engages with higher education, entrepreneurs, NGOs, government, industry and communities to better understand the emerging future of work + learn ecosystem, and how post-secondary education will need to transform to ensure diverse students are prepared for the changing world of work.
Niagara County Community College
Dr. Demetrius Sarigiannis, Assistant Professor of Engineering Science/Engineering Studies Coordinator, has worked across different industries to develop new processes, products, and materials in collaboration with a diverse group of technical and business professionals from around the world. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from University at Buffalo, a M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University. Dr. Sarigiannis aims to pass on experience, knowledge, and a love of applied science to the next generation.
CUNY New York City College of Technology (City Tech)
Dr. Masato R. Nakamura, Associate Professor/Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, is also an environmental engineering scientist and Principal Investigator (PI) of Energy and Environmental Simulation Lab (EESL). He obtained his B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering and M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. He also obtained a Doctor of Engineering Science (Eng.Sc.D.) in Earth and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University, New York.
Guilford Tech
Dr. Forrest "Gray" Kidd, Instructor - Engineering Transfer, is a teacher still learning the ropes and passionate about finding new ways to reach his students. He earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Western Michigan University and a B.S. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from North Carolina State University. His focus now is on instilling enthusiasm and a love of learning in his students and finding new ways to use 3D printing to promote interest in engineering.
