KU Engineering Professor Elected to Engineering Research Council Board of Directors

Suzanne Shontz, EECS professor and School of Engineering associate dean for graduate and online education, was elected to the American Society of Engineering Education’s (ASEE) Engineering Research Council (ERC) Board of Directors. The three-year term began on June 23, 2025.

Shontz joins a group of six newly elected board members representing institutions from across the country, including KU, the University of Colorado; Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg; the University of Tulsa; Michigan State University; and West Texas A&M University. The new electees join a group of six returning board members representing the University of Minnesota; Lehigh University; the University of Arizona; the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; the University of Massachusetts, Lowell; and Colorado State University.

The key objectives of the ERC are to provide a forum for discussion of problems and exchange of information pertaining to the research activities of ASEE members; provide programs at meetings; represent and speak on behalf of research and administration both externally and within ASEE; improve the effectiveness of research operations at ERC member institutions; and to establish and maintain liaison with other organizations concerned with research and its administration. In addition, one of the main duties of the ASEE ERC Board of Directors is to provide programming at the ASEE Research Leadership Institute, an annual workshop for associate deans of research and similar positions that covers topics such as graduate student recruitment and mentoring and developing external partnerships.

“I am excited to serve the research and research administration communities through my role on the ASEE ERC Board of Directors,” Shontz says. “I look forward to developing programming for and leading sessions at the ASEE Research Leadership Institute with other members of the board.” 

The ASEE promotes excellence in engineering instruction, research, public service, and practice. The organization fosters technological education and research through a variety of publications and events for members and the public across the country and abroad. For more information on the ASEE, including membership opportunities, upcoming events, reports and publications, visit asee.org.