A Conversation with

about the latest initiatives and what lies ahead Q: Each year since you became Department Head in July 2011, the department faculty, staff, and students have come together to create initiatives as outlined in the 2012 Strategic Plan. What are some of the initiatives that directly impact undergradu-ate students? One of my best early decisions as department head was to form the Undergraduate Student Advisory Group in EECS (USAGE), whose members provide critical student input guiding curriculum development and enhancements. USAGE provided input crucial to the formation of the SuperUROP, which provides greater exposure to the rewards and complexities of scientific in-vestigation and engineering development. (Read more on page 59.) In its inaugural year, 77 students completed the Super-UROP program, and around 80 students are enrolled for AY2014. USAGE members continue to provide thoughtful insight on how to enhance student life for future students. Their input this year is leading to the creation of a new space where EECS students can network with each other – to be located on the first floor of building 36. Our undergraduate and graduate students also participate in important committees such as the faculty search committee. We have also launched a new Engineering Design Studio (EDS) — made possible through technical and financial support from Agilent Technologies Electronic Measurement Group and the Cypress University Alliance. EDS, housed on the fifth floor of Building 38 and opened on April 1, 2014, provides state-of-the-art fabrication tools for our students offering an entirely ne