What's your job title here at UPEI, and what do you spend most days doing?

I'm the interim dean of the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering at UPEI and also an associate professor. As the interim dean, I'm the academic head of the Faculty which means I'm responsible for the overall operation, delivery and quality of both our undergraduate and graduate degree programs. I spend almost all my time as an administrator working with faculty, staff, and students to ensure we're delivering the best experience possible for our students. 

What brought you to UPEI? Why did you choose to join the faculty? 

My relationship with UPEI goes back a long way. I received my Diploma in Engineering from UPEI with the Class of 1986 then went on to complete my BSc and PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Brunswick. At the time, I never dreamed that my partner Glenda (also a UPEI engineering graduate) and I would have an opportunity to return to PEI to live and work and to be close to our families. That exact opportunity came to us in 1995 when I joined what was at that time the Engineering department at UPEI. 

"My time at UPEI has afforded me many interesting opportunities over the years but certainly the most exciting and fulfilling for me both personally and professionally has been the opportunity to help create our full degree program in Sustainable Design Engineering."

What kinds of opportunities have you experienced because you're teaching and working at UPEI, or because of the Island location? 

My time at UPEI has afforded me many interesting opportunities over the years but certainly the most exciting and fulfilling for me both personally and professionally has been the opportunity to help create our full degree program in Sustainable Design Engineering—the first of its kind in Canada—and to now be able to provide the leadership to foster its continued growth into the future. This brings me full circle from the days when students, like me and Glenda, had to leave PEI to complete their engineering degrees to now when students can complete a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering, a Master of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering, and a PhD in Sustainable Design Engineering here at UPEI. 

What's unique about UPEI, in your experience? 

UPEI's focus on the student experience is central to its overall mission, and to our programs in the FSDE. UPEI's relatively small size ensures that students can get to know their instructors and the staff who deliver and support our programs. This fosters their engagement in what we're doing and makes it so much more rewarding to support them toward their success.  

What would you tell someone considering an engineering program at UPEI? 

I would tell potential students that we offer a hands-on, project-based, real-world engineering experience in a well-supported, team-oriented learning environment that will provide them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become successful professional engineers. If you're someone who likes to learn in this kind of environment, I know we're the right choice for you.