Dr. Nadir Yilmaz is a Professor and the Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering at Howard University, where he has demonstrated a strong commitment to engineering education and leadership. Holding a PhD, MS, and BS in Mechanical Engineering, he is also a licensed Professional Engineer. Throughout his career, he has balanced a passion for teaching with significant service contributions, particularly within ASEE and other professional organizations. 
 
In ASEE, Yilmaz has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as Member-At-Large for the ASEE Aerospace Division, following his progression through various leadership positions, including Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer, and Program Chair. His involvement also extends to the ASEE Mathematics Division, where he currently serves as Director, as well as the Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), where he has contributed as a Delegate. His service to the engineering community spans multiple organizations, such as ASME, NSPE, and SAE, where he has taken on leadership roles like trustee for the NSPE Education Foundation and the SAE Foundation, editor-in-chief for several academic journals, and chair of various technical committees. 
 
Recognition for his contributions to engineering education has come in the form of several prestigious awards, including his election as a Fellow of AAAS, ASEE, ASME, NSPE, and SAE. In addition, he has received the NSPE Engineering Education Excellence Award and the SAE International Excellence in Engineering Education – Triple “E” Award. Yilmaz has been recognized as one of the world’s top 2% of scientists, and his work has earned him fellowships from NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy, among others. His mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, has been a cornerstone of his career, with a focus on fostering diversity in STEM fields. 
 
As Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Howard University, Yilmaz has exhibited exceptional leadership and management skills, overseeing the department’s operations and academic initiatives. He is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that supports students from diverse backgrounds, including those at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). His efforts to promote diversity are reflected in his participation on the New Mexico AMP Advisory Board, where he provides guidance for NSF-funded initiatives aimed at increasing access to STEM education for underrepresented groups.
 
Beyond his academic roles, Yilmaz’s leadership experience spans a variety of professional organizations, where he has provided valuable service and expertise. His contributions to ASEE, along with his work in ASME, NSPE, and SAE, have equipped him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing engineering education today. If elected to the ASEE Board of Directors, he aims to further the organization’s goals of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the engineering community. Drawing on his extensive leadership background, Yilmaz is committed to driving positive change and supporting initiatives that promote a more inclusive and dynamic field of engineering education.
 

Dr. Rungun Nathan is a Professor and Program Chair of the Mechanical Engineering program at Penn State Berks. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering, a Post Graduate Diploma from Indian Institute of Science, an MS in System Sciences, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Before joining Penn State, Nathan was a Visiting Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Villanova University for eight years. Before coming to the USA, he also served as a Group Leader in Electronic Packaging at C-DOT in India and as a Research Assistant in the Robotics Lab at IISc, India.

With over 25 years of academic experience, Nathan is deeply committed to advancing engineering education. He has held numerous leadership roles within the ASEE, including Past and Nominating Chair of the Mechanical Division (2022-2023), Chair, and Program Chair of both the Mechanical and Mechanics Divisions. Nathan has contributed extensively to ASEE as an author, reviewer, and committee member, publishing 17 papers and reviewing over 100 others across various divisions, including Mechanics, Mechanical, Engineering Technology Division, and Multidisciplinary.

Beyond ASEE, Nathan is an Associate Editor for Computers in Education and serves as an ABET coordinator at Penn State. He is a Faculty Senator at Penn State and is a member of several technical committees for the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA). Nathan is also a panel member at several ASEE workshops and has been on the organizing committee for ASME’s MEEd conferences for the past several years. His dedication has been recognized with awards such as the Advising Award and the Service Award from Penn State Berks.

A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Nathan's upbringing in culturally diverse India has profoundly influenced his commitment to DEI. In the U.S., he has actively championed DEI initiatives, serving on DEI committees and developing programs to support students from diverse backgrounds. His dedication to creating inclusive environments is evident in his work with ASEE and beyond.

As an educator and leader, Nathan founded and led the Mechanical Engineering program at Penn State Berks, increasing enrollment and guiding the program through two successful ABET accreditation cycles. He has also served as a Program Evaluation Visitor (PEV) for ABET. Nathan's commitment to high standards in engineering education has created numerous opportunities for student success.

Looking ahead, Nathan aims to further his involvement with ASEE as the PIC V Chair and ultimately as ASEE President. He is dedicated to promoting the growth and development of divisions within PIC V, leveraging his extensive experience to support the ASEE community and the field of engineering education. Through his leadership, Nathan aspires to make a lasting impact on the future of engineering education.
 

Dr. Vukica Jovanovic is a Full Professor and Chair of the Engineering Technology Department at Old Dominion University (ODU). She holds both a Master’s in Industrial Engineering and a Ph.D. in Technology with a focus on Digital Manufacturing. Jovanovic has also accumulated valuable industry experience as a Design Engineer and Manufacturing Engineer, further enhancing her academic and leadership expertise. She is certified in Smart Manufacturing and Safe Space Ally Training, showcasing her commitment to staying current in her field and fostering inclusive environments. 
 
Jovanovic’s involvement with the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) spans many years, during which she has held several leadership roles. She served as the Director of the Engineering Technology Council from 2021 to 2023 and was the Programs Chair for the Engineering Technology Division during the 2022 ASEE National Conference. Her extensive service also includes positions such as Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Technology Leaders (ASEE/ASME), Vice Chair of Programs for the Engineering Technology Division, and member of the National Engineering Technology Teaching Award Committee. Jovanovic’s leadership extends to the ASEE Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where she represented the Engineering Technology Division from 2020 to 2021. She has also contributed as Chair of the Ocean and Marine Division and Program Chair for the Mid-year Conference of the Engineering Design Graphics Division.
 
Her leadership and contributions to ASEE are matched by her work at ODU. As Chair of the Engineering Technology Department, Jovanovic successfully led the ABET accreditation process for three different degree programs. She has also made significant contributions to the broader engineering community, including her work as a Board Member of the National Engineering Education Committee with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and her leadership in the IEEE Hampton Roads Section. 
 
Jovanovic’s scholarly accomplishments have been recognized through various awards. She was honored with the A. Rufus Tonelson Faculty Award from the ODU Alumni Association in 2021 and received the Best Diversity Paper award from the Ocean and Marine Engineering Division of ASEE the same year. Additionally, she earned the Creating Excellence Award from the Virginia Department of Education and the Junior Faculty Award from ASEE’s Manufacturing Division in 2019. She also received Editor's award from the Engineering Design Graphics Journal. 
 
In terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Jovanovic has been a consistent advocate throughout her career. She was the first permanent female chair of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at ODU, serving as a role model for women in leadership. Currently, she serves as a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on an NSF ADVANCE project aimed at recruiting and promoting women of color in STEM. Her work with the ASEE Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion reflects her ongoing commitment to these initiatives. 
 
Jovanovic’s extensive experience in both leadership and academia, paired with her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, makes her a strong candidate for further service to ASEE. If elected, she plans to advocate for the continued development of ASEE programs, particularly in supporting those who present and publish within the organization. She is also eager to collaborate with the ASEE Board to ensure that the society remains dynamic and inclusive, helping to advance the engineering education community.