Adrienne Decker named interim chair of engineering education

She succeeds Professor James Jensen, who has served a full term as chair of the department since January 2023. He will return to his role as a faculty member in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering.

“I look forward to working with Professor Decker on innovative research and educational initiatives in engineering education. Her thoughtful approach, record of excellence, and forward-looking perspective will elevate the impact of the faculty and students,” said Kemper Lewis, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “I am grateful for Professor Jensen’s leadership and long-standing dedication to the department and the university. His efforts have played a crucial role in the department’s continued progress.”

Decker, who joined the Department of Engineering Education in 2019, is the department’s Director of Graduate Studies. Her research centers on computing education, with a primary focus on improving student experiences in computing courses and degree programs. She has published numerous journal articles and conference papers in the area, receiving several best paper awards. 

An emerging leader in higher education, Decker has completed the prestigious ELATES at Drexel fellowship, a national leadership development program designed to elevate senior STEM faculty, and the MAC Academic Leadership Development Program, which seeks to advance faculty as academic leaders at Mid-American Conference universities. She has also held numerous leadership roles in the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), including chair of the Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE) from 2019-22.

Decker has received the UB Student Association’s Milton Plesur Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007, and she is senior member of ACM. Prior to joining the Department of Engineering Education, Decker was a faculty member in UB’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering from 2007-11 and was a tenured associate professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology from 2011-19.

“I am extremely honored to have the privilege of being the next leader of the Department of Engineering Education here at UB. I am grateful to be following our first chairs, Professors Carl Lund and James Jensen, who helped establish DEE and created a strong foundation of excellence for our faculty, staff, and students," said Decker. "I look forward to supporting our faculty and students as they continue to grow in their teaching, research, and service commitments. I believe that we are poised to become a top program for innovative and translational research in engineering and computing education, and I am committed to helping us to get there.”

Decker received her PhD, master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering from UB.

Dedication to teaching and learning

During his tenure as chair, Jensen’s leadership was instrumental in the department’s sustained growth. Under his guidance, the department grew to 23 faculty members, graduated both its first undergraduate and doctoral students, successfully completed accreditation of its undergraduate program, and increased enrollment across all its degree programs. Engineering education faculty also continue to play critical roles in supporting and enhancing the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences’ first-year experience by introducing students to engineering design, helping them explore career opportunities, and onboarding them into their majors.

A UB faculty member since 1988, Jensen is a renowned expert on public water systems. He has extensively studied wastewater and drinking water treatment, particularly in low-resource environments, and his research focuses optimizing ancient traditions of water treatment using modern science and engineering principles. His research efforts have been patented and commercialized.

An outstanding educator, Jensen has made significant contributions to teaching and learning. He has mentored over 250 students, and he is the author of three textbooks. He has received numerous awards, including the 2013 UB President Emeritus and Mrs. Meyerson Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring, the 2009 Engineering Educator of the Year award by the Erie-Niagara Chapter of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, and the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1995. He also served as director of UB’s Center for Teaching and Learning Resources from 2003-04.

Jensen earned a PhD and a Master of Science in Public Health in environmental science and engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering and applied sciences from the California Institute of Technology.