Minnesota State Mankato Professor Rebecca Bates Named a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education
Mankato, Minn. – Rebecca A. Bates, faculty chair of the Department of Integrated Engineering at Minnesota State University, Mankato, was recently inducted as a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education at the society’s Annual Conference & Expo held in Minneapolis June 26-29 and co-hosted by Minnesota State Mankato.
Bates was recognized as a member with “outstanding and extraordinary qualifications” because of her work with the award-winning, project-based engineering programs Iron Range Engineering and Twin Cities Engineering, her research work examining community and belonging in STEM education, her work to support diversity in the field of engineering and her service to the American Society for Engineering Education and engineering education community.
Bates has held multiple leadership positions in the American Society for Engineering Education, including chair of the Ethics Committee, which is responsible for addressing policy and complaints related to the Codes of Ethics, Conduct, and Volunteer Behavior. As a program officer at the National Science Foundation, she worked with programs that extended research and broadened participation in STEM, with a focus on engineering education.
“I am very grateful for the support and leadership at Minnesota State Mankato that has valued the work that I have done,” said Bates. “The support for both leadership development opportunities and innovation on how we support student learning has made a difference for me and our students. I’m especially proud of the work done in my department that has increased opportunities and access for students all across our nation to finish degrees in engineering and head into interesting careers with excellent preparation.”
The recognition of fellow begins with a nomination by an existing fellow. Bates was nominated by Edwin C. Jones, professor emeritus of Iowa State University, and former advisor for the Iron Range Engineering Program, and Lisa Benson, professor of engineering and science education at Clemson University, and editor of the Journal of Engineering Education.
“It is a huge honor to be recognized by the Society, where I have been able to learn so much, and even more humbling to be nominated by these excellent examples of wisdom and service,” said Bates.
The American Society for Engineering Education limits the number of Fellow Members in one year to a total equal to one-tenth of one percent of its individual membership. The nominees are evaluated by the Fellow Member Committee and appointed by the American Society for Engineering Education president. Bates is one of nine fellows inducted this year.
Founded in 1893, the American Society for Engineering Education is a nonprofit organization of individuals and institutions committed to furthering education in engineering technology. The American Society for Engineering Education advances innovation, excellence and access at all levels of education for the engineering professions.
Bates holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Washington. She was named a distinguished faculty scholar by Minnesota State Mankato in 2015.
Minnesota State Mankato’s Department of Integrated Engineering is part of the University’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology. More information on its programs is available at https://cset.mnsu.edu/ie.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 14,546 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 30 colleges and seven universities.
