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Engineering and Technology Education Doctoral Student John Howe ‘21EDD Accepted to NC State’s Preparing the Professoriate Program

John Howe

NC State College of Education doctoral student John Howe ‘21EDD has been accepted into NC State University’s Preparing the Professoriate (PTP) program. As a 2020-21 PTP fellow, Howe will attend regular workshops and build a mentorship relationship with a College of Education faculty member.

“I came into the technology education program without any professional background in education, let alone higher education,” Howe said. “During the past three years, I’ve been developing discrete skills and I look forward to integrating them into a coherent whole.”

Howe, who is pursuing an Ed.D. in Learning and Teaching in STEM in the program area of study in engineering and technology education, serves as a research and teaching assistant in the technology, engineering, and design education undergraduate program.

Having worked as an entrepreneur in the information technology sector for 35 years, Howe saw the engineering and technology education doctorate program as the perfect fit for him. He wanted a career change that would challenge him, but also allow him to leverage his existing knowledge, skills and expertise, while making a difference.

“Working with and addressing at least some of the challenges faced by students living and learning in a digital world has rekindled in me a sense of excitement and purpose,” he said.

As a PTP fellow, Howe will be provided with hands-on teaching opportunities under the direction of a distinguished faculty mentor recognized for their teaching skills.

Preparing the Professoriate (PTP), established in 1993, is a nationally recognized program designed to give exceptional doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars an immersive mentoring, teaching and future faculty preparation experience. It is a signature program within the NC State Graduate School’s professional development initiative.

The inspiring technology educator feels ecstatic, empowered and humbled to have been selected for PTP. Through the program, he hopes to learn to be the best educator he can be.

Howe, who considers himself a “digital technology nerd” and has had a passion for science and engineering since he was a child, is currently researching digital competence, where he is analyzing student beliefs and practices.

“Digital competence refers to the confident and critical usage of the full range of digital technologies for information, communication and basic problem-solving in all aspects of life,” he said. “These competencies are related to logical and critical thinking, high-level information management skills and well-developed communication skills.”

After graduation, Howe plans to teach in higher education, continue his research and expand the scope to include teachers and administrators.

The PTP program is open to doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars who plan to pursue careers as faculty members at colleges and universities. Up to 30 fellows are selected each year for the one-year program. Acceptance is highly competitive.