Missouri S&T, MSU cooperative engineering program in Springfield gains new leader
A new director has been named for Missouri University of Science and Technology's relatively young cooperative engineering program with Missouri State University.
Theresa Odun-Ayo was previously principal electrical engineer for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
Founded in 2008, students enrolled in the cooperative program take engineering courses taught by Missouri S&T professors from the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center in downtown Springfield.
They complete non-engineering courses with Missouri State and, when they are done, they officially graduate from Missouri S&T.
The cooperative program has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering.
Odun-Ayo, associate teaching professor of electrical and computer engineering for the program, recently replaced Douglas Carroll as director.
Odun-Ayo said she plans to promote student success and retention by working closely with students, faculty and staff.
“As director, I look forward to promoting an environment that is equitable and inclusive, fostering excellence in teaching and empowering the students with the technical knowledge and skills necessary for success,” she said in a news release.
Carroll will continue to serve the program as a professor of mechanical engineering.
“Dr. Carroll has been with our Springfield location since the very beginning, and he has done an outstanding job of developing the programs,” said David Borrok, vice provost and dean of S&T’s College of Engineering and Computing, in a news release.
“He is now handing the reins to Dr. Odun-Ayo, who is passionate about educating future engineers and committed to growing the program and expanding its impact throughout Southwest Missouri.”
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Odun-Ayo has been affiliated with Missouri S&T since 2006 when she was a graduate research assistant in electrical and computer engineering.
In 2011, she finished her doctorate in electrical engineering at S&T and held the role of assistant teaching professor for the Springfield program until 2019, when she was promoted to associate teaching professor.
Before joining the S&T team, she was a principal electrical engineer for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and a lecturer for the Nigerian Defense University.
Odun-Ayo’s other degrees include a doctorate in ministry leadership from Evangel University, a master’s degree in electrical engineering from University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria, and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, Nigeria.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: New leader named for Missouri S&T, MSU cooperative engineering program
