UCCS
NOTE: This mini-website is currently a work in progress.
IEEE–UCCS Career & Industry Collaboration Overview
This one-pager outlines strategic collaboration opportunities between the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and the IEEE Pikes Peak Section, leveraging shared priorities in workforce readiness, engineering mentorship, and technical leadership development.
Shared Objectives
– Equip engineering students with career-ready skills.
– Strengthen industry-academic pipelines through mentoring, mock interviews, and resume reviews.
– Foster technical and leadership excellence through IEEE’s volunteer ecosystem.
– Engage underrepresented communities via the IEEE STEAM-TEAMS initiative.
Career Readiness Activities (UCCS-led)
– Mock interviews with industry professionals
– Technical resume & cover letter workshops
– LinkedIn and networking strategy development
– Engineering Career Fairs and industry meetups
IEEE Engagement Opportunities
– IEEE volunteers participate in mock interviews & resume reviews.
– Joint panels or booths at UCCS Career Fairs.
– Invite UCCS faculty/students to STEAM-TEAMS outreach events.
– Co-host technical leadership workshops through the Engineering Leadership Council (ELC).
Proposed Next Steps
– Identify 2–3 IEEE professionals to serve as mock interviewers or resume reviewers each semester.
– Confirm IEEE involvement in Fall 2025 career events.
– Schedule a post-meeting planning session to align calendars.
– Explore a long-term joint impact dashboard or reporting tool.
🧠 AI & Career Readiness Resources
The IEEE Pikes Peak Section is committed to preparing students for the evolving workforce by integrating technical excellence, ethical leadership, and an entrepreneurial mindset. In partnership with academic institutions and community stakeholders, we offer curated tools that support:
- 🔍 Exploration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- 🛠 Hands-on engineering outreach through STEAM-TEAMS
- 🧭 Real-world mentoring, resume-building, and value creation
Featured Resources:
- STEAM-TEAMS Leadership Model
https://r5.ieee.org/pikespeak/steam-teams-notes
A student-centered outreach framework connecting K–12, homeschool, and university learners to hands-on STEM exploration and peer mentoring. - AI & Ethics Tools from IEEE
- TryEngineering AI Hub: tryengineering.org/topics/artificial-intelligence
- IEEE Future Directions – AI: future.ieee.org/focus-topics/artificial-intelligence
- IEEE Learning Network – AI Courses: ieeexplore.ieee.org/courses/home (search “AI”)
- IEEE TechEthics: ethicsinaction.ieee.org
Let’s build the future together—engineers who think, lead, and create value.
Introduction
Below is the agenda for the upcoming and past ELC meetings.
More information ELC meetings documenting the minutes can be found at: Industry Engagement & Outreach | IEEE Pikes Peak Section.
UCCS Engineering Leadership Council Fall Meeting Agenda
March 18th, 2025 | 3pm-5:30pm
Time Duration Topic
3:00-3:20pm 20 minutes Dr. Ying Shang Welcome
• New Faculty/Staff, EAS Accomplishments,
Enrollment Updates, Academic Program Update
• Recap of Career Breakout Session from Fall ELC
Meeting (Curriculum Focused)
3:20-3:35pm 15 minutes Megan Mrkonjich and Kyle Anderson
• Recap of Career Breakout Session from Fall ELC
Meeting (Industry Engagement & Internship
Focused)
• University Advancement Updates
3:35-3:40pm 5 minutes Jaxon Engineering Intro & how they engage with UCCS
3:40-4:30pm 50 minutes UCCS Senior Design Overview & Discussion
• Senior Design Overview (20 minutes)
• Open discussion regarding Senior Design Projects –
see discussion prompts below (30 minutes)
4:30-5:00pm 30 minutes Senior Design Student Presentations & Q&A
• Team 1 (10-minute presentation, 5-minute Q&A)
• Team 2 (10-minute presentation, 5-minute Q&A)
5:00-5:30pm 30 minutes Networking (Food and beverages provided)
Senior Design Student Presentations:
• Team One: Connor Cranston, Emma Finchum, Edgan Montiel, Daniel Barbotko, and
Joseph Barry
o Project Sponsor – Frontgrade – Sean Brinlee and Scott Popelar, Ph.D
• Team Two: Bryson Chittum, Anna Daetz, Aaron Kerber,and Will Kilcrease
Senior Design Projects – Open Discussion Prompts:
• What challenges in your day-to-day operations could a student team help solve?
• Are there areas or markets you want to break into but lack the expertise for? How could
students help?
• What barriers prevent your company from sponsoring a Senior Design project?
• Have you sponsored a project before? What challenges did you face?
ELC Leadership Team:
• Dr. Ying Shang, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science
• Dr. Mike Corl, Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science
• Ernest (Ernie) Campos (American Systems), ELC Co-Chair
• Frank Gearhart (Kratos), ELC Co-Chair
• Megan Mrkonjich, Career and Industry Program Director, ELC Administrator
• Kyle Anderson, Director of Development for the College of Engineering and Applied
Science
Bylaws of the UCCS Engineering Leadership Council
Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Engineering Leadership Council (ELC) of the
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Article II – Mission and Vision
The ELC brings together leaders from industry and academia to drive innovation in engineering
education, address workforce challenges, and create enduring partnerships that benefit students,
the college, and the region.
Article III – Nomination and Selection Process
Section 1: Identification of Candidates
Potential members may be identified by current ELC members, college leadership, or through
demonstrated engagement with the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Section 2: Nomination and Review
Nominations are reviewed by the ELC Leadership Team, which evaluates candidates based on
their alignment with the ELC mission, professional expertise, and history of involvement with
the college.
Section 3: Invitation to Join
Selected candidates will receive a formal invitation from the Dean. Upon acceptance, their two
year term will begin at the start of the academic semester in which they join.
Article IV – Membership
Section 1: Eligibility
Membership is extended by invitation to senior leaders or technical experts from organizations
aligned with the mission of the College.
Section 2: Term of Service
Membership is a voluntary and renewable two or three -year commitment. Terms begin at the
start of the academic semester (Fall or Spring) in which the member officially joins.
Section 3: Expectations
Members are expected to:
• Advocate for the College of Engineering and Applied Science
• Share industry and professional expertise
• Provide personnel and/or resources to support ELC and College initiatives
• Demonstrate commitment through meaningful financial investment
• Support student engagement through senior design, research, internships, and career
opportunities
• Attend the biannual Engineering Leadership Council Meeting
Section 4: Attendance and Participation
Members are expected to attend both annual ELC meetings (Fall and Spring). If a member is
unable to attend, they are expected to designate a qualified representative from their organization
to participate in their place.
Section 5: Inactivity and Ineligibility
Members who do not actively participate, defined as repeated absences without representation,
lack of engagement in initiatives, or failure to meet multiple expectations outlined in Section 3,
may be deemed ineligible for renewal at the end of their term. The Leadership Team reserves the
right to review and address cases of prolonged inactivity.
Article V – Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meetings
The ELC shall meet formally twice per year, once in the fall semester and once in the spring
semester.
Section 2: Special Meetings
Additional meetings may be called by the Leadership Team to address timely or strategic issues.
Article VI – Resignation and Removal
Section 1: Resignation
Members may resign at any time by submitting written notice to the Career and Industry
Program Director (ELC Administrator). Members are encouraged to recommend a successor
from their organization, if appropriate.
Section 2: Removal for Inactivity or Misalignment
Members may be removed for:
• Repeated failure to attend meetings or send a representative
• Lack of engagement in council or College initiatives
• Conduct inconsistent with the mission or values of the ELC
The Leadership Team will review such cases and may recommend removal by consensus.
Article VII – Leadership
Section 1: Leadership Team
The Leadership Team shall consist of:
• ELC Chair, or ELC Co-Chairs, appointed by the Dean
• College Department Chairs
• Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science
• Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science
• Career and Industry Program Director (Administrator of the ELC)
• Director of Development
• Student (President of Dean’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Council)
Section 2: Responsibilities
The Leadership Team shall:
• Preside over meetings
• Set agendas and strategic direction
• Represent the ELC between meetings
• Meet quarterly to review progress and guide initiatives
Article VIII – Subcommittees and Task Forces
Section 1: Formation
The Leadership Team may establish subcommittees or task forces to address specific initiatives
or areas of focus.
Section 2: Membership and Reporting
These groups may include ELC members and external stakeholders as appropriate. They will
report progress and recommendations to the full council during regular meetings.
Article IX – Amendments to the Bylaws
Section 1: Proposal of Amendments
Amendments may be proposed by any ELC member or the Leadership Team.
Section 2: Notice and Approval
Proposed amendments must be shared with members at least two weeks prior to a scheduled
meeting. Amendments are adopted by a majority vote of members present.
AGENDA
18 Nov 2025: Agenda
Introduction
Below are links to UCCS activities with a focus on student activities that the IEEE Pikes Peak Section has participated.
Student Activities | IEEE Pikes Peak Section
Other Resources
Yes, leveraging UCCS ELC (University of Colorado Colorado Springs – Engineering Leadership Council) meetings aligns very well with the IEEE Pikes Peak Section’s strategic goals, especially through STEAM-TEAMS and industry engagement.
Below is a structured alignment summary to guide your discussions and proposals:
✅ Alignment of UCCS ELC with IEEE Pikes Peak Section
1. Shared Mission and Vision
-
UCCS ELC fosters industry-academia collaboration to enhance engineering education and leadership.
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IEEE Pikes Peak Section promotes technology for humanity by fostering leadership, mentoring, and outreach aligned with regional and global IEEE initiatives.
Alignment: Both prioritize experiential learning, innovation, and leadership development in engineering.
Strategic Linkages with IEEE Pikes Peak Section Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan: https://r5.ieee.org/pikespeak/strategic-plan
| Strategic Priority | How UCCS ELC Collaboration Helps | How STEAM-TEAMS Enhances It |
|---|---|---|
| Industry Engagement | Joint panels, mentoring, project reviews | Provides real-world demos and student-industry mentoring |
| Mentorship Pipeline | ELC professionals mentor students | LMAG → YP → Student → K-12 mentorship loop via STEAM-TEAMS |
| Sustainable Outreach | Leverage ELC’s institutional network | Deploy mobile labs to underserved communities with ELC support |
| Entrepreneurial Mindset | Engage with KEEN-aligned partners | STEAM-TEAMS = outreach + innovation + leadership coaching |
STEAM-TEAMS as an Industry Bridge via UCCS ELC
STEAM-TEAMS Role:
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Mobilizes hands-on outreach kits and mentorship teams (LMAG, YP, students).
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Aligns with KEEN’s entrepreneurial mindset: Curiosity, Connections, Creating Value.
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Engages UCCS faculty, students, and industry reps through events, demos, and mentoring.
Opportunities Through UCCS ELC:
-
Invite ELC industry reps to mentor or sponsor STEAM-TEAMS demo days.
-
Use ELC meetings to present STEAM-TEAMS highlights (Cool Science Day, outreach metrics, mobile van updates).
-
Offer co-branded STEAM Nights with UCCS ELC showcasing student innovation and industry panels.
Suggested Action Items
| Task | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Present to UCCS ELC | Prepare a short pitch or slide deck on STEAM-TEAMS and IEEE’s strategic outreach. |
| 2. Invite ELC Members | Offer roles as judges, mentors, or tech demo sponsors at STEAM-TEAMS events. |
| 3. Co-Brand Events | Host UCCS-IEEE nights that blend student innovation with industry insights. |
| 4. Website Integration | Update the Industry Engagement Page to reflect UCCS ELC as a strategic partner. |
