Dr. Stephanie Cutler, Ph.D.

Director of Assessment and Instructional Support and Associate Research Professor

My journey to the Leonhard Center:

I started working in the Leonhard Center in 2015 as the Assessment and Instructional Support Specialist. My journey began at Virginia Commonwealth University studying Mechanical Engineering and earning my B.S. However, I became more curious about the educational experience than technical engineering content leading me to Virginia Tech for an M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a concentration in Human Factors and a PhD in Engineering Education.

Throughout my academic experiences, I developed an interest in working with faculty leading to a keen interest in faculty development and support, graduate education, as well as a passion and interest in the development of the field of engineering education research. In 2022, I was excited to move into the position of Director of Assessment and Instructional Support within the Leonhard Center to take a leadership role in the faculty development experiences with the PSU COE. I am actively involved in ASEE through the Educational Research and Methods Division as well as the leadership team that helped instate the Faculty Development Division. I am also a member of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network.

Stephanie is passionate about:

• Faculty development.
• Faculty decision making around their teaching.
• Graduate education.
• Boundaries of the field of engineering education research.
• The peer review process (for publication).
• How to stop folks from lecturing about active learning (Integrating fun and engaging strategies to professional settings).

Proud moments:

• ASEE ERM Vice Chair of Programs for ASEE 2022 (2021-2023)
• ASEE Faculty Development Division Program Chair for 2018, 2019, and 2020 Annual Conferences
• ASEE ERM Director (2019 – 2021)
• Recipient of the 2017, 2016, and 2014 Helen Plants Award for Best Special session at the Frontiers in Education conference
• Unofficial Director of Fun for the Leonhard Center (2015 – present)

Favorite Leonhard Center Halloween costume:

T-Rex from Jurassic Park (2016)

What to contact Stephanie for:

Email Stephanie if you want to learn more about Leonhard Center workshops, improving teaching evaluations, or conducting research in engineering education!