June 28, 2023
By Ian Sargent

From its beginning in the late 19th century, the Georgia Institute of Technology has been a crucial producer of mechanical engineers nationally and abroad. Before it became the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering in 1917, the department reinvented its instructional methods and established a focused curriculum that sought to create engineers whose skills weren’t limited to the shop rooms and forges of the post-Civil War south, but one that could be the vanguard of a desperately needed workforce capable of complex problem solving, mathematical rigor, and innovative design. The change laid the foundation for a program that, over a century later, remains a leader in mechanical engineering education.  

Two alumnae from the Woodruff School, Susan Stewart, M.S. ME 2001, Ph.D. ME 2003, and Min Zou, M.S. ME 1996, Ph.D. ME 1999, have used their Georgia Tech education to launch successful careers in academia where they continue to educate and mentor the next generation of mechanical engineers. 
 

Life at Tech 

Stewart, who grew up in State College, Pennsylvania, is now an Associate Teaching Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Penn State University, where she also completed her undergraduate studies. She first studied meteorology before what she calls a “lightbulb moment” pulled her in a different direction.  

“In a class in my first year I was assigned to study an environmental issue, combustion of fossil fuels and global warming,” she recalled. “That drove me to change my major so I could study energy, more specifically renewable energy, and I found mechanical engineering to be the best fit for me at the time. Once I took thermodynamics, I knew I was in the right place. I continued on to get three mechanical engineering degrees.” 

Two of those degrees were earned at the Woodruff School, and Stewart says that her time at Georgia Tech was highly formative and one of her favorite periods in her life. She helped run the Georgia Tech chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), where she helped coordinate tours and arrange for guest speakers.  

“I had a great cohort of friends and really enjoyed going to the many seminars offered by the department,” Stewart said. “I greatly appreciated having the time to concentrate my studies so deeply in one topic area as I worked on my theses.” 

Stewart also credits her time here with helping her develop a more direct and systematic approach to problem-solving. “This helped me tackle new challenges without hesitation,” Stewart said. “I also learned how to communicate effectively to explain complex information, which is essential as an educator.” 

Zou is currently a Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arkansas (UA) and the Twenty-First Century Chair of Materials, Manufacturing, and Integrated Systems. She was at Georgia Tech during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Far from being overwhelmed by the hubbub of one of the globe’s largest sporting spectacles, Zou described her time during the Games as “unforgettable.” 

“[It] was buzzing with energy as elite athletes from around the world came to our university,” Zou recalled fondly. “I was lucky enough to meet and connect with several Olympic champions, and their stories and achievements deeply inspired me.” 

Zou went on to volunteer at the Paralympic Games in Atlanta and described the experience as rewarding and humbling. She still has her Olympic Village pass which she keeps as a reminder of the unique experience and lasting friendships she made during that time.  

Originally from China, Zou first studied aerospace engineering; her father worked for an aircraft engine manufacturer, and she would occasionally accompany him to work.  

“I thought the detailed drawings of the engine parts were really cool,” she said. “I wanted to be like my dad and work with airplanes, so I decided to study how to design them in college.” 

After starting at Tech as a Ph.D. student in aerospace, Zou made the switch to mechanical engineering, excited by the varied disciplines included in mechanical engineering studies.  

Despite the challenges of changing majors in graduate school, Zou excelled and was keen to single out the role her advisor, Professor Itzhak Green, had in her success. 

“He really believed in me,” Zou said of Green. “He was super patient, and instead of pushing me, he gave me room to think and learn from my mistakes. Also, he was always there for advice, whether about research or career stuff. His support was indispensable to me.” 

Outside of the classroom Zou involved herself in extracurricular activities, serving as the Committee Chair for Activities of the Chinese Student Association, where she helped organize dance socials and performances for the Chinese New Year. Taking the time to participate in these activities helped her foster a sense of community and gave her opportunities to network and gain experience in a leadership role. 
 

Life as Engineering Educators 

According to data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the number of Ph.D.s awarded in mechanical engineering across the nation has steadily declined from its 2013 peak. As tech and manufacturing industries swell in numbers, many students are enticed by a quick and relatively painless entry into a growing workforce. The growth, however, means there’s a reciprocal need for more engineering educators, especially as advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing begin to take a more central role across various industries.  

Both Stewart and Zou have leveraged their passion for learning and their Georgia Tech doctorates into remarkable academic careers that address changing educational practices and the rapid advance of engineering technologies. 

“My Tech degree was very helpful when I ventured into academia," said Zou. “The thorough curriculum and exposure to cutting-edge research at Tech really boosted my academic credentials.”  

Zou was also able to network extensively with scholars in her field, building relationships that helped nurture her career in academia, a path she chose in part for its potential to provide her the opportunity to be a mentor to others.  

“I love learning and sharing knowledge,” Zou said. “Academia is also exciting because it’s always changing, and I wanted to be a part of that.” 

One way Zou moved in lockstep with industry needs was through the creation of an undergraduate nanotechnology minor at UA. Zou and her colleagues made a hands-on lab a key component of the minor, allowing students to gain valuable practical insight into nanotech. Zou has also worked with students who have launched high-tech start-ups and been featured in Forbes’ 30 under 30 lists.  

Her advice to students seeking a career in mechanical engineering is to stay curious, collaborative, and versatile.  

“The engineering landscape is always changing, so cultivate adaptability and openness to learning new technologies. Take the initiative to create a professional network through student clubs, conferences, or social platforms – these relationships can be gateways to exciting opportunities.” 

Stewart was drawn to being an educator early in life and used her time at Georgia Tech to learn from professors and advisors. She remembers working with Andrei Fedorov, current Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, Professor, Rae S. and Frank H. Neely Chair, and Regents' Entrepreneur.  

“We would meet after each class and discuss how my lecture went,” Stewart said. “He had such thoughtful input that was incredibly valuable in developing my skills as an educator.”  

At Penn State Stewart has seen her own students achieve wide success. For the past decade, she has led a team of students in the Department of Energy’s Collegiate Wind Competition, winning five of the past ten editions and placing in most of the rest. Her team most recently placed second and won two of the four sub-competitions.  

Stewart also serves as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) coordinator for her department, which allows her to see up close how engineering programs are adapting to improve student outcomes and cover relevant topics like sustainability with more depth. She also sees engineering taking positive strides towards becoming more inclusive.  

“We still have a long way to go to see a more balanced enrollment (and retention) of women and minorities in many engineering fields,” she said. “But I believe we are on a solid path of continuous improvement.” 

Like Zou, Stewart sees great value in keeping up with the pace of change in engineering and cites flexibility as one of the most important attributes to cultivate.  

"The industry is changing rapidly,” she said. “As are the ways in which we communicate and interact with each other. Being adaptable is really key.”