Rowan University professor earns recognition for excellence in engineering training | Rowan Right now

Dr. Kaitlin Mallouk, assistant professor in the Experiential Engineering Schooling Office (ExEEd) in the Henry M. Rowan College or university of Engineering, has acquired the 2022 Distinguished Teaching Award for the Middle Atlantic Area of the American Modern society for Engineering Education and learning (ASEE).
The award honors an personal in every section, distinguished by region, focused to excellence in engineering training. As an organization, ASEE is fully commited to supporting faculty scholarship and impressive procedures that establish pedagogical awareness.
An lively member of ASEE considering the fact that 2013, Mallouk also acquired the honor of Finest Division Paper for the Division of Experimental and Laboratory Studies at the ASEE Annual Convention in 2015. The year prior, she obtained the Mara Wasburn Early Engineering Instruction Grant for the Division of Women in Engineering.
“Dr. Mallouk is an fantastic educator who has built an impression on engineering training at Rowan by way of her contributions to revolutionary curriculum and learner-centered pedagogy,” reported Dr. Stephanie Farrell, professor and founding division head of Rowan’s Experiential Engineering Training Section (ExEEd). “In the classroom, she stimulates intellectual exhilaration for engineering subjects by means of innovative, fingers-on tasks, even though cultivating a society the place students’ unique encounters, identities and contributions are valued.”
Engineering schooling grew to become the driving pressure of Mallouk’s vocation goals in the course of the latter 50 % of her larger instruction.
“I was a graduate college student at the College of Illinois and about halfway via my application, I figured out that the cause I was acquiring a Ph.D was so I could instruct at the school level,” Mallouk stated.
Fortunately, she uncovered her residence at Rowan College.
“The Higher education of Engineering was fashioned very deliberately to be centered in the best procedures for engineering schooling,” explained Mallouk. “Rowan seriously values excellence in instructing and innovating in the classroom in a way that is exclusive.”
Normally, her situation makes it possible for her to use engineering in techniques she in no way assumed attainable.
“I was outlining to my dad how I’m making an attempt new things in the classroom and hoping to be ground breaking,” reported Mallouk. “He explained, ‘Oh, so alternatively of engineering physical factors, you engineer educational experiences’ and I claimed ‘Oh! Yeah, I am!’ That was eye-opening for me for the reason that, in my brain, I had remaining engineering powering to teach, but definitely, I was making use of engineering to educating.”
Some of the approaches she utilizes innovation in her classroom are via “curiosity cupboards,” as properly as a newer physical exercise called an “asset map.” Curiosity cupboards allow for the students to share a little something intriguing, meaningful, or particular to them that reveals something about their identification.
“I try out to evaluate how my pupils are executing as total human beings,” explained Mallouk. “I like to be ready to acknowledge their humanity.”
“Knowing that a professor is on my facet and executing her ideal to deal with worries with me offers me a perception of confidence and serves as a reminder that no 1 is alone,” explained Caroline Thistle, who acquired her mechanical engineering diploma in 2021.
Asset maps also permit house for the college students to understand some thing new and develop further connections with themselves and with each and every other. Mallouk asks the learners to detect their property in a wide range of diverse spots: technical know-how this kind of as calculus and chemistry, and much more cultural or private abilities these as knitting. The target is to spotlight the value of capabilities outside of engineering.
“It’s not about regardless of whether you know the math or science, though individuals are seriously crucial,” said Mallouk. “Really, turning out to be an engineer teaches you how to difficulty-clear up and assume in a way that is diverse from most folks.”
Mallouk obtained her Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Cornell University and both equally her Master of Science and Ph.D in environmental engineering in civil engineering from the College of Illinois. Her investigate at Rowan focuses on engineering education and learning, school growth and reflection in engineering schooling.