Aaron C. Clark ’97EDD, who currently serves as head of the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education at NC State’s College of Education, will be the co-director of NC State’s Engineering Education program, effective Aug. 16, 2023. He will work alongside co-director Laura Bottomely of NC State’s College of Engineering and other members of the engineering education community to advance the university’s mission of providing top-quality engineering education to its students.
“I am honored to have been selected as co-director for Engineering Education at NC State,” Clark said. “I am committed to working with my colleagues to provide our students with the best possible engineering education and to continue to build on the strong foundation of excellence that NC State has established in this field.”
As co-director of Engineering Education, Clark will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of engineering education programs and initiatives at NC State while working closely with faculty, staff and students to ensure that NC State’s engineering education offerings are meeting the needs of the engineering workforce and are aligned with the university’s strategic goals.
“Dr. Clark has an extensive background working in areas and disciplines that integrate engineering, technology, design and education. His experience and leadership will be a valuable asset to the university’s Engineering Education efforts, and we’re excited to see what the program’s future holds under his co-direction,” said College of Education Dean Paola Sztajn.
Clark received his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts/technology education and master’s degree in technology from East Tennessee State University. He began his career working in industry and as a consultant in graphics-related areas. He went on to teach drafting and computer-aided design technology at Chesapeake College in Wye Mill, Maryland, and eventually became chair of the college’s Division of Science and Technology before pursuing his Doctor of Education in technology education at our College of Education. After completing his doctorate in 1997, he joined the NC State faculty as an assistant professor of mathematics, science and technology education. He became a full professor in 2011. At that time, he also began his role as the assistant department head of STEM Education and later as associate department head. He has been the head of the Department of STEM Education since 2018.
Clark’s research areas of focus include graphics education, engineering education, visual science and professional development. Throughout his career, he has served in various leadership roles in disciplines related to engineering education and career and technical education at the national level and has received numerous honors, including the 2022 Technology and Engineering Teacher Educator of the Year Award from the International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) and the Council on Technology and Engineering Teacher Education (CTETE).
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