Veteran Educator Named Head of USU Engineering Education Department

An award-winning educator and veteran engineer has been named the head of the Department of Engineering Education at Utah State University.

Ning Fang, who has been serving as interim head since July 1, 2018, was appointed to the new role effective April 15. He brings more than 20 years of industry, government and academic experience. He also served as a program director in the Division of Undergraduate Education at the National Science Foundation where he co-managed four programs focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education. 

“As the demand for more engineers increases, engineering education has become an emerging field of research,” said Fang. “Our Engineering Education Department has a wonderful, dedicated group of faculty, staff and students. As the new department head, I am looking forward to continuing working with them to move our department forward. ”

In 2008, USU was among the first in the country to develop an academic department dedicated to engineering education. To date, 16 graduate students have successfully graduated from the department’s doctorate in Engineering Education program. Currently, the department houses eight faculty members, two staff members and 18 graduate students.   

Fang specializes in engineering education research including teaching and learning technologies designed to improve student problem solving, K-12 STEM education and engineering retention. Over the past two decades, he has authored more than 200 papers and presentations and has secured—as principal investigator—more than $3 million in research funding. He is also a member of the American Society for Engineering Education, a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and is a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.