Dr. Agnieszka Miguel is a Professor and Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department at Seattle University (SU). She earned her BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering (EE) from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL, in 1994 and 1996, respectively. She obtained her PhD in EE from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, in 2001. From 2002 to 2004, she held engineering consultant positions at Honeywell Aerospace, Diagnostic Ultrasound, and Mapping Science.
 
Dr. Miguel joined the faculty of SU in 2004 and has been leading the SU ECE Department as its Chair since 2011. Dr. Miguel has made significant contributions to the department in terms of community building, recruitment, retention, alumni relations, and curricular and extra-curricular programming. Her professional interests involve image processing and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in engineering education. Her current research focuses on developing algorithms for detection and recognition of individual animals in camera trap data.
 
Dr. Miguel has held several leadership positions in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association (ECEDHA), such as the ECEDHA President in 2022-2023, Chair of the 2022 ECEDHA Annual Conference, and a member of the Awards Committee. Currently, she serves as a Board Member, the ECEDHA Immediate Past President, and a member of the Annual Conference Program Committee.
 
Dr. Miguel is passionate about improving DEI in STEM. She has led the Boeing-sponsored College of Science and Engineering DEI Committee at SU from 2017 to 2022. This committee was tasked with studying and improving the persistence and experience of women and underrepresented minority (URM) students in the engineering and computer science (CS) programs. Dr. Miguel also co-led the College DEI Taskforce in 2023. She has secured funding for broadening participation in ECE from NSF to support the iREDEFINE workshops that she organized or co-organized at the ECEDHA Annual Conference since 2019. These workshops motivate and prepare women and URM doctoral students for academic positions in ECE.
 
Dr. Miguel has been a member of ASEE since 2004 and has attended the ASEE Annual Conferences every year. From 2008 to 2017, she has held leadership positions in the New Engineering Educators Division, the ECE Division, and the Pacific Northwest Section including Secretary, Treasurer, Program Chair, and Division or Section Chair. She has also served as a Chair of the Professional Interest Council I (PIC I), the Vice President of PICs, the Vice President for External Relations, and the First VP (2016-2023). She was on the ASEE Board of Directors in 2016-2023 and on the ASEE Executive Committee in 2017-2018 and 2019-2023.
 
Dr. Miguel is an ASEE Fellow and the recipient of the 2020 ECEDHA Diversity Award, the 2020 ASEE ECE Division Distinguished Educator Award, and the 2016 ASEE ECE Meritorious Service Award.

Candidate's Statement

I am honored to be nominated for the 2024 ASEE President Elect. I joined ASEE in 2004, when I attended my first ASEE Annual Conference in Salt Lake City, UT. I was a new Assistant Professor at Seattle University and was amazed by the scope and diversity of the conference. It was a valuable learning experience for me, as I interacted with experienced educators, explored new ways to enhance my teaching, brainstormed how to attract more diverse students to engineering, and connected with a community of engineering educators who share my passion and vision.

My ASEE journey began with finding my community of practice in the New Engineering Educators Division, and later expanded to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Division and the Pacific Northwest Section. These communities fostered long-lasting friendships and collaborations that enriched my life as an engineering educator. I have served ASEE in various roles and gained insights into its operations and member experiences. My roles have included section chair, division and program chair, Board of Directors member, Executive Committee member, Professional Interest Council Chair and Vice President, and VP for External Relations.
ASEE and its members have overcome many challenges in recent years: the COVID-19 pandemic, difficulties with paper submission and conference management software, and the most severe - a significant financial crisis. These challenges demanded sacrifices and hard work from the ASEE Headquarters Staff, the Presidents Team, and the Executive Committee. However, I want to highlight the positives: the unwavering commitment and passion of the ASEE Leadership and the engagement, trust, and support of our members.

If selected as the ASEE’s next President-Elect, I will build on the work of my predecessors to strengthen and stabilize ASEE financially. I will collaborate with the ASEE Headquarters Staff, Board of Directors, and members to explore new sources of revenue, optimize operations, enhance core membership services, secure resources for ASEE staff, and restore the accounts of divisions and sections.

Higher education faces multiple challenges and ASEE is uniquely positioned to address them. The demographic cliff will lower the demand for education. We will face more pressure to attract and retain students. We will have to be adaptive and innovative in our academic offerings, delivery methods, pricing models, and partnerships to survive and thrive in this new reality.

Generative AI offers the potential to personalize the learning experience for our students, by tailoring educational content and pace to their needs. However, it also poses a new challenge. We need to equip our students and educators with the skills and competencies to use generative AI tools effectively and responsibly. We also need to educate them about the potential risks of this technology, such as biases, discrimination, and threats to privacy and security.

We can turn these challenges into opportunities by embracing a growth mindset and change. We can apply our engineering skills and creativity to find solutions to these new problems. I am excited to leverage my broad experience within ASEE to lead it into this new era of engineering education.

Christi Patton Luks is an accomplished academic leader and a distinguished non-tenure-track teaching Professor, currently serving as the Associate Chair for Academic Affairs in the Linda and Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Missouri University of Science & Technology. With more than two decades of experience, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to excellence in education and student success.Christi Patton Luks is an
Candidate's Statement

I am profoundly honored to stand as a nominee for the esteemed position of President-Elect, and I am genuinely excited about the prospect of serving the ASEE membership if elected. My journey with ASEE began when I was graciously invited to attend a Midwest Section meeting, an experience that left a lasting impression on me. The warmth and openness of the community, coupled with interactions that transcended departmental boundaries, made it clear: ASEE was more than just a professional society; it felt like home, a space that fostered camaraderie rather than competition. In those moments, I forged meaningful connections and friendships that have endured.

My commitment to ASEE deepened as I delved into its mission of promoting excellence in education. Recognizing the importance of aligning personal values with professional endeavors, I became my university's Campus Representative, initiating a journey that saw me ascend to pivotal leadership roles within ASEE. From the Chair rotation of the Midwest Section to Zone III Chair, and active involvement in the Chemical Engineering division as Chair and subsequently as PIC I Chair, each position has presented a unique opportunity to effect positive change in engineering education.

I have always held a firm belief that one should choose activities that support their personal values. ASEE, with its unwavering commitment to cultivating an inclusive community, aligns seamlessly with my core belief that education should be a collaborative, supportive endeavor. Our shared mission is to enhance the educational experience by understanding how students learn and creating an environment that nurtures growth. Together, we strive to become more effective educators, counselors, and administrators, empowering our students to tackle challenges we may not have envisioned.

If elected as President-Elect, I pledge unwavering dedication to promoting innovation, inclusivity, professional development, and resources for our members. The heart of ASEE lies in its capacity to shape the future of engineering education, producing skilled, ethical engineers capable of addressing the world's most pressing challenges. I envision a future where we as a collective force inspire positive change and address the evolving needs of our field.

I humbly seek your support, believing that together, we can embark on a journey that propels ASEE to new heights, shaping the landscape of engineering education and leaving an indelible mark on the profession. I am filled with gratitude as I contemplate this nomination and the potential to contribute to our Society in this vital role. Thank you for being an integral part of this transformative journey, and I look forward to the possibility of serving you and our ASEE community.

Dr. Luks' educational journey began with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, followed by an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at The University of Tulsa. Since joining Missouri S&T in 2014, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the academic landscape, teaching a diverse range of courses from the chemical engineering undergraduate curriculum to graduate-level courses in thermodynamics and mathematical techniques.
Recognized for her outstanding teaching, Dr. Luks has received multiple awards at both the University of Tulsa and Missouri S&T. Her dedication to student success extends beyond the classroom, as evidenced by her role as Acting Department Chair in 2020, focusing on student success and faculty development. She has been designated a Miner Master Mentor, showcasing her commitment to mentoring faculty at Missouri S&T.

Beyond academia, Dr. Luks is an active participant in Engineers Without Borders, contributing to projects in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Honduras. Her passion for fostering inclusivity is evident through the development of Global Cultural Exchange luncheons, a testament to her commitment to creating a welcoming community. She advises multiple student design teams, including the S&T Chem-E-Car and Chem-E-Cube teams, showcasing her dedication to hands-on learning experiences.
Dr. Luks' impact extends nationally and internationally, particularly in her roles within professional organizations. As a fellow of AIChE, she actively contributes to the Global Societal Initiatives Committee, Women's Initiative Committee, and Societal Impact Operating Council. Her involvement with the Society of Women Engineers, as well as serving as president of Omega Chi Epsilon, the National Chemical Engineering Honor Society, further exemplifies her commitment to advancing the field of chemical engineering.

Her longstanding involvement with ASEE dates back to the late 1990s, where she has presented, chaired sessions, and received awards for her contributions. Dr. Luks has held various leadership positions within ASEE, including Chair of the Midwest Section in 2008, Zone III Chair, Chemical Engineering Division Chair, and PIC I Chair. She served as the ASEE Vice President of Professional Interest Councils for 2021-2022 and stepped in as the replacement Vice President for Member Affairs for 2022 – 2024.

Dr. Luks' comprehensive experience, dedication to education, and extensive leadership within ASEE make her an ideal candidate for the role of president. With a proven track record of driving positive change and fostering collaboration, she is well-equipped to guide ASEE towards a future of continued growth and excellence.