3 Technology, Engineering, & Design Education Faculty, Students Receive National Awards

RALEIGH, North Carolina — Three faculty members and students in the NC State College of Education’s Technology, Engineering, and Design Education program have received five national honors from the International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) and the international society Epsilon Pi Tau:

Nolan Fahrer | Ph.D. Candidate and Teaching Assistant Professor in Technology, Engineering, and Design Education

• William Warner Graduate Student Research Award, Epsilon Pi Tau
• Donald Maley Outstanding Graduate Student, International Technology and Engineering Education Association
• 21st Century Leadership Academy Member, International Technology and Engineering Education Association

Eli Siler | Junior in Technology, Engineering, and Design Education

• Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award, International Technology and Engineering Education Association

Kevin Sutton | Ph.D. Candidate and Lecturer in Technology, Engineering, and Design Education

• Emerging Leader, International Technology and Engineering Education Association

“These national awards show the great work that our students and faculty are doing to promote leadership and scholarship in technology, engineering and design education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels,” said Aaron Clark, director of graduate programs and assistant department head of STEM Education, which is home to the Technology, Engineering, and Design Education program.

Below is a look at each of the three faculty members and students honored.

Nolan Fahrer

Status: Doctoral Student and Teaching Assistant Professor in Technology, Education, and Design Education
Education: Master of Science in Technology Education, NC State (2009); BS in Technology from Bowling Green State University (2003).
Honors: William Warner Graduate Student Research Award, Epsilon Pi Tau; Donald Maley Outstanding Graduate Student, International Technology and Engineering Education Association; 21st Century Leadership Academy Member, International Technology and Engineering Education Association.
My research focus: Currently, I am researching and interested in visual literacy and visualization assessment in post-secondary fundamental engineering graphics courses and current perceptions of stakeholders in STEM education. In addition, I am interested in performance assessment in technology and engineering education and STEM-based pedagogy for pre-service teachers.
What this honor means: I am honored to have been chosen to be recognized by my peers of these professional organizations, and it means a great deal that I am able to represent NC State and the College of Education.

Eli Siler

Status: Junior in Technology, Engineering, and Design Education
Honor: Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award, International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA)
What this honor means: This recognition is a humbling and encouraging experience for me. I’m honored to have the opportunity to represent my program and the work we’ve done, as well as represent NC State in a respectable and professional manner.
My career aspirations: To  graduate in 2018 with my teaching license and a degree in technology design and engineering education. I intend to go on to teach technology-related courses in high schools. I also intend to gain some real-world experience through working in the field of graphics communications, either before I begin teaching or after for awhile to enhance my ability to teach.

Kevin Sutton

Status: Ph.D. candidate In Technology, Engineering, and Design Education on track to graduate May 2017
Education: Graduate Certificate in Integrative STEM Education from Virginia Tech (2013); MAEd in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech (2013); BS in Technology Education and Minor if Graphic Communications, NC State (2012).
Honor: Emerging Leader, International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA)
What this honor means: This recognition is quite an honor and feels like an acknowledgment that my work is making a difference in Technology, Engineering, and Design Education. The award requires showing five years’ worth of efforts including teaching, service, publications, and presentations. Also, the application process made me grateful for colleagues willing to write on my behalf.
How the College of Education prepared me for leadership: The College of Education provides many places to lead and serve. During my time in the College of Education, I have engaged in multiple activities that have provided opportunities for leadership growth including:

• Graduate Student Representative for ETF Committee
• Epsilon Pi Tau – Alpha Pi Chapter (Professional Honor Society) President
• Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Association (TEECA) Advisor
• Graduate Student Advisory Board Member
• Student Teaching Study Abroad – Brazil
• Teaching and learning from many wonderful students