Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Archives

College of Engineering Celebrates New and Promoted Faculty

Published September 15, 2026

New faculty and staff from Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering pose with Dean Michelle Scherer in front of an MTU-branded photo backdrop. — The College of Engineering welcomed new faculty and staff before the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, where newly promoted faculty were also celebrated.

The College of Engineering kicked off the 2026-2027 academic year by welcoming seven new faculty members this August. The new faculty members bring a wealth of academic and industry experience to support new and expanding programs in aerospace engineering, ecological engineering, and more.

Dean Michelle Scherer also recognized the promotions of nine faculty members, highlighting their continued excellence in research, education, and mentorship.

“These faculty members are moving and shaking in their fields and are engineering new and innovative approaches to help make people’s lives better and educate the next generation of engineers,” said Scherer. “I could not be more delighted to see all of them recognized with well-earned promotions. Keep your eyes on this group!”

M. Emin Kutay Named Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Chair

Published July 17, 2026

By Coby-Dillon English

Aerial view of Michigan Technological University at sunset. The campus buildings are surrounded by lush greenery, and a wide river is visible on the right side, reflecting the sun's golden light. — M. Emin Kutay, former professor of civil and environmental engineering at Michigan State University, has been named chair of Michigan Tech’s Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering.

M. Emin Kutay has been named chair of Michigan Tech’s Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE), effective July 20.

Kutay comes to the College of Engineering from Michigan State University, where he was a professor of civil and environmental engineering for 18 years. There, he built an internationally recognized program in pavement engineering, infrastructure materials, and computational modelling.

Marathons and Water Towers: Undergraduate Commencement Speaker Talks Discipline, Service, and Community

Published April 14, 2026

By Mary Christine Stevens

Undergraduate commencement speaker Caelan Mead-O’Brien stands in front of a sunny window in the DOW atrium. He is wearing a jacket and button-up shirt. — Spring ’26 undergraduate commencement speaker Caelan Mead-O’Brien focused on community and service during his time at Michigan Tech, all while learning to protect crucial natural resources, training for marathons, and more.

Caelan Mead-O’Brien, the undergraduate student speaker for the 2026 spring commencement, was enabled to come into his own personally, professionally, and academically during his time at Michigan Tech. As he prepares to graduate with a degree in environmental engineering, Mead-O’Brien recalls his first impressions of Michigan Tech, and the way his time in Houghton has helped him to learn, grow, and lead.

Though he was originally hesitant to move so far from his hometown of Okemos, Michigan, Mead-O’Brien quickly found his place in the Keweenaw.

MTU’s College of Engineering Presents Pathway to PhD Awards to Strengthen Doctoral Pipeline

Published January 5, 2026

By Coby-Dillon English

Zachary Elmore, Zander Worm, Purity Angwenyi and Seth Eacker pose together in front of windows with views of snowy campus. — This year’s Pathway to PhD cohort includes, from left, Zachary Elmore, Zander Worm, Purity Angwenyi, and Seth Eacker. (Not pictured: Abhilash Arjan Das and Elijah Sierra)

When it comes to recruiting talented doctoral candidates, Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering is starting with our own students!

Michigan Tech SWE Students Travel to World’s Largest Conference for Women in Engineering

Published November 12, 2025

By Coby-Dillon English

Dean Michelle Scherer and 22 Michigan Tech students and alumni pose together at an event as part of WE25. The group is wearing name tags and conference lanyards and business casual attire. — Michigan Tech SWE student members, alumni, and College of Engineering Dean Michelle Scherer, far right, gather at WE25, the Society of Women Engineers’ annual conference.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is celebrating 75 years of providing a robust network of advocates for any and all looking to support women engineers and their unique place and voice within the engineering and technology industry. At Michigan Tech, our award-winning SWE section is going above and beyond to help members connect with peers and industry around the world.

This October, Tech’s SWE section traveled with 17 students to WE25, the organization’s national conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual conference is the world’s largest gathering dedicated to forwarding the progress of women in engineering and technology.

Head of the Pack: A Conversation with Associate Deans Amy Landis and Audra Morse

Published September 30, 2025

By Coby-Dillon English

From left, Audra Morse and Amy Landis pose at a desk in the College of Engineering Dean’s Office. Morse wears a charcoal blazer, black turtleneck sweater, and jeans and Landis wears a gray blazer and dress. — Associate Deans Audra Morse, left, and Amy Landis support the College’s mission as new members of its administrative leadership.

When Dean Michelle Scherer arrived at Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, she brought with her a new vision of engineering education excellence. Known for its hands-on, practical approach, the College of Engineering under her leadership would train collaborative and imaginative engineers from all backgrounds to develop, test, and build real solutions to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

This summer, Dean Scherer welcomed two new associate deans to the College’s administration who will work closely with her to deliver on that vision of world-class education, research, and leaders

College of Engineering Welcomes New Faculty Members

Published September 11, 2025

By Coby-Dillon English

16 new faculty and staff gather for a group portrait in the lobby of the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. All wear the same black t-shirt that reads “MTUengineering” and stand in front of large windows. — New members of the College’s faculty and staff were welcomed to Michigan Tech prior to the start of the school year at a get-together in Tech’s Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts.

The Michigan Tech College of Engineering welcomes 13 new faculty members across six departments for the 2025-2026 academic year. These new researchers and educators bring a wealth of experience and expertise in fields including computational fluid dynamics, autonomous machines and vehicles, artificial intelligence, freshwater management, and more.

“Tomorrow needs every engineer and we need thoughtful, dedicated faculty to educate and inspire them,” said Michelle Scherer, dean of the College of Engineering. “I am thrilled to welcome this phenomenally talented group to help train the next generation of Husky engineers. Exciting things are ahead!”

Amy Landis Named College of Engineering Associate Dean of Graduate and Online Education

Published July 28, 2025

By Coby-Dillon English

Aerial photo of Michigan Tech’s main campus and Keweenaw Waterway during a sunset. — The College of Engineering has appointed an associate dean of graduate and online education. Amy E. Landis begins her duties August 4.

Amy E. Landis has been named associate dean of graduate and online education of the College of Engineering at Michigan Technological University, effective August 4.

Amy Landis joins Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, where she was a professor of civil and environmental engineering and Presidential Faculty Fellow. (Photo courtesy of Amy Landis)

Landis brings 18 years of expertise in academic programming and educational excellence to this new role in the College. Prior to joining Tech, Landis had been a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Colorado School of Mines since 2017. There, she served as the Presidential Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Inclusion, and Access and raised over $3.45 million for programming and scholarships. Landis, who holds a visiting professorship at the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology in the Dominican Republic, previously served as director of the Institute of Sustainability at Clemson University where she was the Thomas F. Hash ’69 Endowed Chair in Sustainable Development.

“The heart and soul of innovative research at Tech is our graduate students and I am thrilled Amy Landis is joining us in this new position focused on preparing our students for successful careers in industry, academia and the public sector,” said Michelle Scherer, dean of the College of Engineering. “Amy has dedicated her career to providing opportunities and research experiences for engineering students across the globe.”

Andrew Swartz Named Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Chair

Published June 17, 2025

By Coby-Dillon English

Aerial photograph of Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building and Electrical Energy Resource Center during a sunset; Keweenaw Waterway in the background. — Andrew Swartz, associate professor of civil, environmental, and geospatial engineering, has been named CEGE department chair.

R. Andrew Swartz has been named chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE) at Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering, effective July 1. Swartz will lead the CEGE department, which supports more than 500 undergraduate students and 100 graduate students, for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Swartz is an associate professor of civil, environmental, and geospatial engineering and currently serves as the CEGE associate chair of curriculum. He teaches courses on topics of steel design, structural timber design, continuous-system modeling, and advanced structural analysis. Swartz is also an affiliated associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. He serves as the faculty advisor for the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Student Steel Bridge Competition team.

“Andrew is an expert in developing sensors and computing for structural applications and has been instrumental in creating and delivering curriculum to prepare our students to tackle complex infrastructure challenges,” said Michelle Scherer, dean of the College of Engineering. “Andrew brings a strong background of leadership in structures research and engineering education, and I’m looking forward to working with him and CEGE to continue to lead the way in engineering a better world.”

An MTU alumnus, Swartz earned his BS in civil engineering before going on to receive his MS in civil engineering, MS in electrical engineering: systems, and PhD in civil engineering from the University of Michigan. His research interests include applications of sensors and computing for structural systems including load characterization, structural health monitoring, and structural control for civil infrastructure assets such as buildings, bridges, pipelines, wind turbines, roadways, and railroads.

Audra Morse Named College of Engineering Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

Published June 17, 2025

By Coby-Dillon English

Aerial photograph of Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building and Great Lakes Research Center during a sunset. — Audra Morse, professor of civil, environmental, and geospatial engineering, has been named the College of Engineering’s associate dean of academic affairs.

Audra Morse has been named the associate dean of academic affairs of the College of Engineering at Michigan Technological University, effective July 1.

Morse has served as chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE) since 2017 and previously served as interim dean of the College of Engineering for the 2023-2024 academic year. In her role as associate dean, Morse will support undergraduate curriculum, recruitment, and support across the college’s nine departments and further the college’s mission of delivering world-class education, leadership, and research.

Category: Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering