Electrical and Computer 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!”

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!”

Wayne Weaver Named Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Chair

Published June 21, 2025

By Coby-Dillon English

MTU clocktower with green grass and blooming flowers in front on a sunny day. — Wayne Weaver, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, has been named the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering chair.

Wayne W. Weaver has been named chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering, effective July 1. Weaver will lead the ECE department, which supports more than 600 undergraduate students and 100 graduate students, for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Wayne Weaver is an MAE professor and associate chair and director of graduate studies. He will serve as the ECE chair for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Weaver, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and an ECE-affiliated faculty member, spent more than 11 years serving in his primary appointment with the ECE department as the associate chair and director of graduate studies for the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). Weaver teaches courses on topics of propulsion systems for hybrid electric vehicles and linear systems theory and design.

“Wayne brings a strong background of leadership in research and education. I’m looking forward to working with him and ECE to lead the way in these exciting times of energy transition and digital acceleration,” said Michelle Scherer, dean of the College of Engineering.

Weaver received his BS in electrical engineering and BS in mechanical engineering from Kettering University, then known as the GMI Engineering & Management Institute. He went on to receive his MS and PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Prior to joining Michigan Tech in 2007, Weaver worked as a research and design engineer at Caterpillar Inc., and as a research engineer for the US Army Corp of Engineers at the Engineering Research Development Center and Construction Engineering Research Lab. Weaver’s research interests include power electronics, microgrids, energy conversion, electrified propulsion systems and non-linear and optimal control. He also currently serves as the associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems.

The College of Engineering Graduating Class of 2025 Shares a Fond Farewell

Published April 22, 2025

By Coby-Dillon English

A crowd of Michigan Tech graduating students wearing their caps and gowns with the audience in the background. — Over 600 College of Engineering students will participate in this week’s upcoming commencement ceremonies.

More than 600 College of Engineering students will take part in Michigan Technological University commencement ceremonies on Friday and Saturday. While their time on campus is coming to an end, they know they’ll be Huskies forever.

As they prepare for graduation, engineering students are reflecting on their time at Tech, sharing their dreams for the future, and offering advice to the next generation of Huskies.

Shane Oberloier Selected for Deans’ Teaching Showcase

Published January 30, 2025

By Coby-Dillon English

Shane Oberloier with a Van De Graaf generator and a yellow explosion graphic that says “ZAP!” — Shane Oberloier’s enthusiasm for the maker community engages students in the classes he teaches, the Makerspace he directs, and beyond! (Photo courtesy Shane Oberloier)

College of Engineering Dean Michelle Scherer has selected Shane Oberloier, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, for this spring’s Deans’ Teaching Showcase.

Oberloier will be recognized at an end-of-term event with other spring showcase members and is a candidate for the CTL Instructional Award Series.

Midyear Commencement Graduate Student Speaker Knows Her Strengths

Published December 5, 2024

By Coby-Dillon English

Mehnaz Tabassum was inspired by the Keweenaw landscape and is looking to inspire the next generation of engineers. (Images courtesy of Mehnaz Tabassum)

Mehnaz Tabassum scored just 25 percent on her first midterm as a PhD student in electrical and computer engineering at Michigan Technological University. She was understandably worried when her instructor for the course, Zhaohui Wang, asked Tabassum to come to her office hours following the exam. Tabbassum assumed Wang would be upset with her.

SWE at Michigan Tech Receives Awards, Honors, and Job Offers at Annual Conference

Published December 5, 2024

By Coby-Dillon English

Gretchen Hein ‘96, Skyler Brawley, and Amanda Smies ‘18 pose with their awards from SWE’s annual WE24 conference.

In the final weekend of October, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) hosted WE24, the world’s largest conference for women in engineering and technology. SWE at Michigan Tech supported the travel of 19 students to the conference in Chicago, Illinois where they attended sessions, participated in the career fair, and met with Michigan Tech alumnae from the Chicago area and SWE at large.

The WE24 Career Fair is the largest career fair for women in the world. This year, students in attendance had 17 interviews and 4 internship offers just from participating in this event. Most of the students who interviewed will be hearing in the next few weeks regarding internships and full-time offers.

As part of the conference, WE24 held a robust awards ceremony where engineers from Michigan Tech received awards for their achievements and contributions.

College of Engineering Welcomes New Faculty Members

Published November 7, 2024

By Coby-Dillon English

Dean Michelle Scherer in a group with the sixteen new faculty. — Earlier this semester, Dean Michelle Scherer welcomed 16 new faculty members to the College of Engineering.

The Michigan Tech College of Engineering is pleased to welcome 16 new faculty members across eight departments this year. These new faculty members bring a wide range of specializations in robotics, geomechanics, cancer tissue engineering, snow hydrology, and more. These brilliant educators and researchers join us from all over the world, including five Michigan Tech College of Engineering alumni. Welcome Huskies!

Chris Middlebrook to Discuss MTU Semiconductor Learning Opportunities as Panelist for UPEDA Meeting

Published May 10, 2024

Christopher Middlebrook (ECE) was a panelist at a meeting on May 9 hosted by the Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance (UPEDA). The event took place at Northern Michigan University. Distinguished leaders from universities and community colleges in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula discussed innovations in the higher education landscape of the U.P. Panel discussions will explore challenges and collaborative opportunities with the workforce.

Middlebrook, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will discuss the new semiconductor-focused curriculum and learning paths now being developed at Michigan Tech — both for traditional undergraduate engineering students, and for other individuals interested in short-term, flexible training to jump-start career paths for in-demand job roles in the semiconductor industry in Michigan.

A wide range of students will be eligible to participate in the new semiconductor learning programs at Michigan Tech, including high school students, University students, community college students, job seekers and veterans. Learning will occur online, on campus at Michigan Tech and on-site at industry partner locations. Scholarships, transportation, child care and other wraparound services will be available to support students. Much of the new curriculum will kick off in fall 2024, said Middlebrook, with further details to be announced. To receive updates via email, add your information to the Michigan Tech Electronics Hub sign-up form.

Some opportunities for high school students will be happening this summer through Michigan Tech’s Summer Youth Programs (SYP). The week of July 21-26, students in grades 9-11 can attend NEXT Scholars: Semiconductors, a weeklong exploration offered on campus. Full sponsorship of the cost is available for 12 students for the program. “This will allow students to attend at no cost, which is very exciting and such a wonderful opportunity,” noted Middlebrook.

In addition, students who take part in two additional SYP sessions, Women in Engineering (June 16-21) and Engineering Scholars (June 23-28), will have opportunities for hands-on semiconductor fabrication activities and field trips to nearby Calumet Electronics.

MTU has received grants totaling $970,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to support a major expansion of semiconductor education and training programs for workforce development in Michigan. The amount includes $770,000 for the semiconductor curriculum work and $200,000 for the Michigander Scholars Program.

“Our overall goal is to form a talent pipeline to meet Michigan’s increased demand for skilled engineers and technicians in the semiconductor industry, where jobs are projected to grow at least 11% in the next five years,” said Middlebrook.

At Michigan Tech, Middlebrook teaches courses in electrical and computer engineering, with active research in electrical and optical interconnects and platforms. He serves as the faculty advisor for the IPC-Electronics student chapter at Michigan Tech, and directs the Plexus Innovation Center, a professional-grade, electronics-focused makerspace.

Joint ROTC Commissioning Ceremony April 26, 2024

Published April 22, 2024

Cadets and officers on stage for the ceremony.

The Air Force and Army ROTC invite you to the Spring 2024 Commissioning Ceremony on Friday (April 26) at 7 p.m. at the Rozsa Center.

This semester, we have 10 Air Force cadets and four Army cadets commissioning. Those commissioning are from the following programs:

By Air Force and Army ROTC.

Category: Electrical and Computer Engineering