The College of Engineering is continuing its prioritization of applied learning with the creation of a new position and the promotion of two faculty and staff members. The new position, applied learning facilities director, has been assumed by Nathan Smith, who is also an assistant educator in the Applied Engineering Department. Richard Sack has been promoted to the position of Innovation Hub manager, a position previously held by Smith that is dedicated to managing the Innovation Hub in the John Bardo Center on the Innovation Campus.
Within the new applied learning facilities director role, Smith will focus on expanding the college’s ability to support research and industry-focused project work. Recent projects include students creating handrails for the Charles Koch Arena at WSU and students completing 3D scans to create molds to aid in the renovation process of the Wilner Auditorium at WSU. He also hopes to eventually coordinate projects with the National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR). As a faculty member, Smith will continue offering project-based courses, now shifting his focus toward incorporating generative AI into teaching and the design process.
Within his role as the new Innovation Hub manager, Sack will focus on the future growth of the hands-on prototyping laboratory and applied learning initiatives. He has extensive experience in the research and development of new products and processes, experience Sack will apply toward growing the college’s research support capabilities. He is skilled in his ability to engage students in teaching and research activities, and the college looks forward to working with Sack to develop new initiatives and collaborations across the campus and the community.