Education

CU Engineering ranked No. 15 among public peers

Emily Adams — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:54:14 +0000

CU Engineering ranked No. 15 among public peers Emily Adams Tue, 09/23/2025 - 07:54

Aerospace, environmental and civil lead the way with top 10 specialty rankings.

Learn more

��ɫ��Ƶ’s College of Engineering and Applied Science is the No. 15 best undergraduate engineering program in the U.S. when compared to its public peers, U.S. News and World Report announced today.

Our engineering program was ranked No. 28 overall when compared to 210 other public and private universities that also offer PhD programs. CU Engineering was tied with Ohio State University, the University of Minnesota and the University of Southern California.

“CU Engineering’s rise to No. 15 among public institutions is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our faculty, staff, students and alumni,” Dean Keith Molenaar said. “It reflects our commitment to innovation and the transformative impact of engineering education and research. While we focus on our mission and not our rankings, it is good to be recognized in such high regard by our peers.”

In the engineering and computing specialty rankings, five ��ɫ��Ƶ engineering degrees were also ranked in the top 15 amongst publics:

The rankings were released on the U.S. News and World Report website on Sept. 23. Undergraduate rankings are based solely on the judgments of deans and senior faculty at peer institutions who participated in a peer assessment survey. Read more about the methodology.

Our engineering program was ranked No. 28 overall when compared to 210 other public and private universities that also offer PhD programs.

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CU Engineering builds on sustainability leadership with new MS in sustainable engineering

Caroline Harrah — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 17:36:05 +0000

CU Engineering builds on sustainability leadership with new MS in sustainable engineering Caroline Harrah Mon, 09/22/2025 - 11:36

Caroline Harrah

The ��ɫ��Ƶ’s College of Engineering & Applied Science is building on its leadership in sustainability research and education with the launch of a new Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering.

Guided by the principle of sustainability “by design,” the program integrates a systems-level approach with advanced engineering in the context of ecological integrity, economic viability and human well-being, preparing graduates to tackle the world’s most urgent challenges with durable, real-world solutions.

From extreme weather to systems strained by growing demand to aging infrastructure, communities worldwide face mounting challenges in engineering systems that are resilient, efficient and human-centered. Meeting these needs requires engineers who can balance technical rigor with an understanding of economics, policy and the human and environmental trade-offs that shape decision-making.

Yet the shortage of professionals with this breadth of expertise has slowed progress at the very moment when industries and communities are seeking sustainable pathways forward.

“Our world is at a tipping point where sustainable engineering is essential to ensure resilient energy and water systems, infrastructure and materials for the future,” said Karl Linden, chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. “��ɫ��Ƶ brings together world-class faculty, cutting-edge research and Boulder’s culture of innovation to prepare students not just to respond to this demand but to lead the global transition to a more sustainable future.”

��ɫ��Ƶ’s Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering features an integrated curriculum that brings together expertise from ��ɫ��Ƶ’s College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Leeds School of Business. Alongside engineering coursework, students participate in classes on business strategy, policy, management and data storytelling, a unique interdisciplinary approach among engineering programs.

This combination equips graduates with the ability not only to design sustainable technologies but also to evaluate their economic viability, navigate regulatory frameworks and communicate solutions in ways that influence decision-makers. A capstone project with industry or government partners ensures that students leave with hands-on experience applying these skills to real-world challenges.

The program’s interdisciplinary approach is anchored in ��ɫ��Ƶ’s world-class research across core pillars of sustainable engineering that students will experience.

Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers that span energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, water and sustainable materials. Possible roles range from power systems and energy storage engineers to sustainability managers, environmental process engineers and green product designers.

Equipped with both deep technical expertise and the interdisciplinary skills to lead complex projects, they will be ready to lead organizations and communities through the urgent global transition to a sustainable future.

The program is now accepting applications for fall 2026!

Learn more about the program and admissions requirements:

MS in Sustainable Engineering

Sustainable Engineering Faculty & Research

In resilience, faculty members including Abbie B. Liel (infrastructure and housing resilience, structural systems under hazard loading), Shideh Dashti (multi-hazard risk, transportation/slope and embankment resilience), Srikanth S. C. Madabhushi (soil-structure interaction, liquefaction, dynamic loading via centrifuge modeling), Amy Javernick-Will (post-disaster shelter & reconstruction, organizational risk management) and Evan Thomas (resilience in water, sanitation, and environmental systems under disaster and global health contexts) are advancing earthquake-resistant infrastructure, disaster recovery and new methods to assess and strengthen critical systems.
In sustainable materials, researchers such as Mija H. Hubler (microstructure-designed concrete, engineered living building materials, fracture mechanics, durability), Wil V. Srubar III (carbon-storing / biologically augmented concretes, low-carbon alternative materials) and Cristina Torres-Machi (recycled pavement materials, full-depth reclamation, decision and optimization models for sustainable road and pavement rehabilitation) are pushing forward innovations that reduce environmental impact and enable circular economies.
Faculty leading sustainability analysis, such as Torres-Machi (life-cycle cost analysis, optimization, data-driven decision making for pavement and infrastructure asset management) and Sherri Cook (life cycle assessment/costing, resource recovery, and decision-frameworks under uncertainty for water, sanitation, and civil systems), are bringing forward new models that integrate long-term cost, carbon, environmental and social metrics into evaluations of infrastructure and service systems.
In power systems, faculty members such as Kyri Baker (smart grids, optimization of renewable integration, building-to-grid systems, algorithms for large-scale grid stability and real-time controls) are optimizing the integration of renewable energy sources and grid stability using advanced computational tools.
In sustainable building design, ��ɫ��Ƶ teams including Gregor P. Henze (advanced controls, model predictive and reinforcement learning control of HVAC and mixed-mode systems, and integration of building operations with the grid), Moncef Krarti (optimal retrofit and envelope design with glazing, insulation, dynamic façades, and controls for HVAC and lighting, as well as renewable energy integration) and John Z. Zhai (indoor environmental quality, passive and hybrid ventilation, thermal storage, and innovative building envelope and sustainable systems) are pioneering energy-efficient HVAC systems, building automation, and holistic building approaches that minimize resource use while promoting human well-being.
In sustainability education, ��ɫ��Ƶ faculty such as Jay Arehart ( life-cycle assessment and sustainability analysis) are preparing future engineers to integrate sustainability principles into infrastructure, materials and system design. Through curriculum innovation and applied coursework, students gain hands-on experience with the tools and methods needed to address pressing environmental and societal challenges.

The world needs engineers to help lead the transition to a sustainable future. CU Engineering is answering that call with the new Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering, preparing graduates to design resilient systems that balance ecological integrity, economic viability and human well-being.

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Building community around electrochemistry and energy innovation

Susan Glairon — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:26:41 +0000

Building community around electrochemistry and energy innovation Susan Glairon Sat, 09/13/2025 - 09:26

Co-organized by Professor Mike Toney, the 2025 Front Range Electrochemistry Workshop (FREW) broadly addressed electrochemical science, with this year’s focus on batteries reflecting their growing importance to everything from electric vehicles to renewable energy infrastructure.

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Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering welcomes new faculty for fall 2025

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 15:55:32 +0000

Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering welcomes new faculty for fall 2025 Charles Ferrer Mon, 08/11/2025 - 09:55

The Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering Department at the ��ɫ��Ƶ is welcoming four new faculty members. Meet our new faculty and see why we're excited about these talented individuals!

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CU Engineering Magazine News 2025

Hanna Nordwall — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 22:01:06 +0000

CU Engineering Magazine News 2025 Hanna Nordwall Fri, 06/06/2025 - 16:01

Alumna Sarah Gillis speaks to ��ɫ��Ƶ aerospace students about her experience as an astronaut.

Astronaut comes home to Boulder

Sarah Gillis

Sarah Gillis (AeroEngr’17), an astronaut on the successful Polaris Dawn SpaceX crew, visited ��ɫ��Ƶ in November.

During a standing-room-only appearance at Fiske Planetarium, she shared with students what life was like in space for the four-member crew, and provided details of the science and engineering that brought them to orbit and safely home.

Gillis, whose post showing her playing her violin aboard the Polaris Dawn went viral, credits a space class at ��ɫ��Ƶ for non-aerospace majors as being a key step in her remarkable journey.

College welcomes largest PhD class

The College of Engineering and Applied Science at the ��ɫ��Ƶ celebrated a milestone in fall 2024, welcoming its largest-ever cohort of doctoral student. With more than 1,100 students currently pursuing PhDs and a 25% rise in PhD enrollment year over year, CU Engineering continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in graduate education, particularly among women and students from minoritized communities.

The incoming class includes a record percentage of female doctoral students, with women making up 37% of new PhD enrollees, surpassing the national average of 29%, according to data from the American Society for Engineering Education. ��ɫ��Ƶ stands as the top large public institution for the percentage of women doctoral students enrolled — among institutions with more than 1,000 PhD students — holding a lead over peer institutions.

The overall PhD enrollment at CU Engineering now has 10% of its students from minoritized communities, higher than the national average of 7%.

Four with CU ties elected to National Academy of Engineering

Scott Diddams, professor of electrical, computer and energy engineering, and Hanspeter Schaub, chair of the Ann and HJ Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

According to the NAE website, “election is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. NAE members are among the world’s most accomplished engineers from business, academia, and government.”

Also elected as part of the 2025 class were Dan Frangopol, professor emeritus of civil, environmental and architectural engineering and current faculty member at Lehigh University, and alumnus Chuck Hull (EngrPhys’61).

Arati Prabhakar, Ph.D., Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), left, awards Kristina M. Johnson the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during an awards ceremony in Washington, DC. Photo by Ryan K. Morris

Former faculty member earns presidential medal

Kristina M. Johnson, who served as a professor of electrical and computer engineering at ��ɫ��Ƶ from 1985 to 1999, was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President Joe Biden.

At a ceremony held in Washington, D.C., Johnson and eight others received the nation’s highest honor recognizing exemplary achievement and leadership in science and technology.

Johnson distinguished herself through groundbreaking research in optoelectronics, photonics and nanotechnology that led to 46 U.S. patents. Her innovations have contributed to advancements in the sustainable energy, manufacturing, quantum computing and medical fields.

Johnson was the president of Ohio State University from 2020 to 2023. From 2017 to 2020, she was chancellor of the State University of New York.

Landmark bill supports Colorado water quality

Evan Thomas

In summer 2024, Gov. Jared Polis signed into law Colorado Senate Bill SB24-037, titled “Study Green Infrastructure for Water Quality Management.” Sponsored by Sens. Cleave Simpson and Jeff Bridges, along with Reps. Mike Lynch and Karen McCormick, this legislation aims to enhance water quality and environmental sustainability in Colorado.

The bill directs the team at the ��ɫ��Ƶ Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience and Colorado State University’s Energy Institute to work directly with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to identify new pathways to restore rivers and watersheds in Colorado, improve water quality, and reduce emissions associated with water and wastewater treatment.

“It has been a rewarding experience to propose this idea and work with Sen. Simpson and other elected representatives and state officials in Colorado to bring it to life, and we’re looking forward to what this could mean for Colorado’s water and air,” said Evan Thomas, director of the Mortenson Center.

Zoya Popovic

Jerome Fox

Two professors recognized by National Academy of Inventors

Distinguished Professor Zoya Popovic was among 162 inventors named 2023 fellows of the NAI. Election as a fellow in the academy is the highest professional distinction awarded to inventors.

Jerome Fox, an associate professor of chemical and biological engineering, was also named a senior member of the NAI. Senior membership recognizes faculty, scientists and administrators for their contributions to innovation, including patents, licensing, commercialization and technologies aimed at benefiting society.

Engineering Education Program launched

The College of Engineering and Applied Science has introduced a new program aimed at improving the education of engineers at all levels.

The Engineering Education Program, which welcomed its first cohort in fall 2024, offers a PhD degree, with the goal of eventually adding graduate and undergraduate education offerings.

The program is a collaboration with the School of Education and other discipline-based education research groups at ��ɫ��Ƶ. It offers a flexible curriculum designed for students with a background in engineering who want to conduct research in engineering education and learn to effectively teach engineering subjects.

New community college pathway launches

Colorado Mountain College students are now eligible for guaranteed admission to the ��ɫ��Ƶ’s College of Engineering and Applied Science if they complete four specific courses at CMC, thanks to a new partnership between the two institutions. The agreement creates a guaranteed admission and transfer pathway for CMC students, enabling a seamless transition for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering at ��ɫ��Ƶ.

Through this innovative guaranteed admission agreement, students enrolled at CMC — including high school students taking concurrent coursework — will have access to a clear path toward admission at ��ɫ��Ƶ’s top-ranked engineering school, provided they meet specific academic requirements. This agreement marks a vsignificant milestone in expanding access to engineering education for students in the mountain communities CMC serves.

News of the past year in CU Engineering...

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Message from the Dean 2025

Michelle Wiese — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:16:58 +0000

Message from the Dean 2025 Michelle Wiese Fri, 06/06/2025 - 11:16

Dear CU Engineering alumni and friends,

As I reflect on the past year, I am more thankful than ever to be part of a strong, resilient community that values higher education and the work we do every day to improve lives. If you are reading this in print or online, that community includes you. Whether you volunteer with our college or campus, contribute through Buffs All In or just follow the latest news on our websites or social media, we thank you for your support.

I am extremely proud of the College of Engineering and Applied Science’s accomplishments over the past year, and appreciate the opportunity to share them with you in this edition of our magazine.

Education: We are so excited about the impact that our Engineering Connections residential community and Lattice Scholars Program are having on undergraduate student retention. Seeing these students excel in their educational journeys and continue on to successful careers is why we are here. We could not be more appreciative of the donors, employees and student leaders who are making it happen.

We also welcomed our largest-ever class of PhD students in fall 2024, something that advances both our education and research missions. This 25% increase year-over-year in PhD enrollment both gives us a reputational boost and accelerates the value we provide through our research.

Research: We wanted to use this edition to highlight just a few of the ways our research is having an impact in the world. Whether it is tackling serious challenges to infrastructure in the U.S., taking quantum engineering from theory to practice or designing technology for a local couple to use in their own backyard, our faculty and students always have an eye on how we can engineer sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life in our state, nation and world.

Innovation: Our research is leading directly to economic impact. In 2024, 35 startups were launched out of labs and research projects at ��ɫ��Ƶ — 22 with ties to CU Engineering. We’re commercializing technologies in everything from healthcare to aerospace, creating jobs and continuing to establish ��ɫ��Ƶ as a leader in innovation. Check out our video highlighting some of our entrepreneurial success stories — truly a must-watch.

Again, thank you for being a valued part of the CU Engineering community. I hope you will find a way to engage with us in the coming year — maybe at one of our many regional alumni events or our Homecoming Tailgate. I always look forward to connecting with alumni and friends to learn more about what inspires you.

Go Buffs!

Keith Molenaar
Dean

@KeithMolenaar

Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, reflects on the past year's accomplishments and impacts around education, research and innovation.

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Disaster risk workshop sparks collaboration, innovation

Susan Glairon — Wed, 21 May 2025 22:35:36 +0000

Disaster risk workshop sparks collaboration, innovation Susan Glairon Wed, 05/21/2025 - 16:35

Amir Behzadan, professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering and fellow of the Institute of Behavioral Science, and Mary Angelica Painter are developing more effective, engaging ways to keep people safe during extreme events.

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Día de Ciencias inspires future engineers through hands-on STEM activities

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 12 May 2025 16:02:42 +0000

Día de Ciencias inspires future engineers through hands-on STEM activities Charles Ferrer Mon, 05/12/2025 - 10:02

Charles Ferrer

��ɫ��Ƶ’s chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) welcomed Hispanic middle and high school students from across the Denver metro area for the third annual Día de Ciencias in early-April. Through hands-on activities in water quality, robotics and STEM, students explored the possibilities of engineering and saw that a future in science and technology is possible.

Middle school students were tasked to create a prosthetic leg in an imaginary zombie apocalypse and competed against other teams to see who had the strongest and most stable leg.

While the number of Hispanic students earning engineering degrees in the United States has nearly doubled over the past decade, significant gaps in representation and access to STEM education remain.

“I didn’t even know what engineering was growing up,” Cindia Denova Garduno, a recent architectural engineering graduate, said.

Her story represents the challenge that Día de Ciencias or Day of Science aims to solve—how can Hispanic youth pursue engineering if they’ve never been exposed to it?

In being part of the solution, the SHPE partnered with CU Engineering’s Integrated Teaching and Learning Program (ITLP), to make Día de Ciencias a reality for the young attendees. SHPE also received generous funding support from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering to make this venue possible.

Led by Arly Diaz de Leon, an environmental engineering student and the event’s main organizer for the past three years, the SHPE and ITLP worked together to plan STEM activities and workshops for students from the Boulder Valley School District and JeffCo Public Schools. The collaboration hopes to expand their outreach to more schools in future years.

“One of my favorite highlights from the event was seeing both the students and parents excited to learn about the world of engineering,” Diaz de Leon said. “Hearing amazing input from parents and their eagerness to already sign up for next year’s Día de Ciencias was so fulfilling. It’s proof that even one day of exposure can spark a lifelong interest in STEM.”

Throughout the day, students were divided into groups for hands-on engineering activities tailored to their grade levels.

K-2nd graders explored water science by building levees and water filtration systems.

3rd-6th graders practiced coding skills with micro technology.

7th-12th graders tackled the ‘Zombie Got My Leg’ challenge, where teams designed and built prosthetic legs out of materials like cardboard, bubble wrap, PVC pipe and tape, simulating how engineers work creatively within real-world constraints.

Behind the scenes: A collaborative effort

The event relied on a team of SHPE student members working behind the scenes.

Don’t let imposter syndrome get in the way of reaching your fullest potential. Don’t let mistakes get in the way of reaching your goals, as progress and learning is never truly linear!”

Arly Diaz de Leon

“This year’s Día de Ciencia was a lot of fun and successful,” Denova Garduno said. “On the day of the event, I was mainly involved with making sure everything was set up properly to ensure the best experience for our volunteers and the wonderful families that joined us.”

The event not only exposed students to engineering fundamentals but also emphasized family involvement in the college journey. During the event, parents had opportunities to attend workshops on college readiness and financial aid, which is critical for the transition from high school to college.

Keriann Jacobson, education and outreach coordinator at the ITLP, emphasized the importance of the collaborative approach taken between SHPE and the college.

“We are proud to partner with SHPE in creating hands-on engineering experiences that spark a passion for STEM in the next generation of engineers,” Jacobson said. “This allowed us to engage not only with students, but also with their families, bringing parents into the conversation and making them active participants in their children’s STEM education.”

Personal journeys in STEM

For Diaz de Leon, the journey leading up to her leadership of Día de Ciencias has been personal. As a first-generation college student, she participated in ��ɫ��Ƶ’s Pre Collegiate Development Program, which helped build the leadership skills she now used to inspire others, she said. After initially pursuing chemical engineering, her experience working in an environmental engineering lab and seeing tangible impacts on public health policy motivated her to switch majors.

Denova Garduno (left) and Diaz De Leon (right) attending the 2024 SHPE Conference in Anaheim, Calif.

“Being a part of SHPE has opened up so many opportunities for me as an underrepresented woman in engineering,” Diaz de Leon said. “Leading this event has given me the courage to advocate for myself and others, both in school and as I look toward my future career.”

Denova Garduno shares this commitment to representation and mentorship.

“Helping organize Día De Ciencia motivated me to continue pushing forward in my career by reminding me of one of the most important goals as a Latina in STEM,” she explained, “which is to be an engineer who can help future Hispanic students believe that they, too, belong in STEM.”

Denova Garduno recalled how she had a wonderful math teacher, Ms. Mejia, who noted how good she was in math in middle school. That left a very important mark to her which shaped her future as an engineer. From that moment, she was inspired to create opportunities for young students to explore engineering.

“There is so much pride and joy in seeing the children participate in STEM activities,” Denova Garduno said. “It reinforces how powerful it is for young students to work together as a team to create something they can test and be proud of.”

Diaz de Leon hopes to pass down the lessons she’s learned to the next generation of SHPE leaders and to the young students they serve.

“We have overcome many hurdles just by being here,” Diaz de Leon said.

“And we should never forget that we all started as eager young kids, curious about the world of STEM.”

��ɫ��Ƶ’s chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers welcomed Hispanic middle and high school students from across the Denver metro area for the third annual Día de Ciencias this spring semester.

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The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers hosts middle & high school students for a Dia de Ciencias in April 2025.

��ɫ��Ƶ launching master’s degrees in artificial intelligence

Emily Adams — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +0000

��ɫ��Ƶ launching master’s degrees in artificial intelligence Emily Adams Wed, 04/23/2025 - 07:00

To meet increased workforce demand, the Department of Computer Science is introducing a Master of Science degree in AI that will be available both in-person and online through Coursera.

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Engineering Projects Expo 2025: Explore new inventions and technologies created by CU Engineering students

Michelle Wiese — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:45:18 +0000

Engineering Projects Expo 2025: Explore new inventions and technologies created by CU Engineering students Michelle Wiese Mon, 04/21/2025 - 09:45

On Friday, April 25 at the ��ɫ��Ƶ, engineering students will present their capstone design projects at the annual Engineering Projects Expo. This year's event will feature projects from mechanical engineering; computer science; electrical, computer and energy engineering; biomedical engineering; and civil, environmental and architectural engineering.

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