Chair

Kolleen Schneider
Senior Director of Supply Chain
Andersen Corporation

Kolleen Schneider is Senior Director of Supply Chain at Andersen Corporation. She is responsible for supply chain planning, strategy and execution. During her nearly 25 years with Andersen, Kolleen’s experience spans positions in Engineering, Information Technology, Logistics, New Product Development, Manufacturing Leadership and Supply Chain.

Kolleen holds a B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering and a M.S. in Manufacturing Systems from the University of St. Thomas. In 2021, she was named ‘Outstanding Leader Transforming Manufacturing’ by Smart Manufacturing Magazine.

Past Chair

John Irwin, EdD
Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology Department, College of Engineering
Michigan Technological University

Dr. John Irwin is a tenured Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Chair of the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology Department in the College of Engineering, at Michigan Technological University. In addition, he is Director of the Research and Innovation in STEAM Education (RISE) Institute at Michigan Tech. He has a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Irwin is PI for an NSF S-STEM grant until 2023. He is experienced in the manufacturing industry as well as the teaching profession with five years in engineering design, several years part-time consulting in industry and over 30 total years of teaching. Dr. Irwin’s research focus is on teaching and learning in computer aided design, analysis, & manufacturing subjects. Areas of teaching expertise are Parametric Modeling, FEA Methods, Computer Aided Manufacturing, Statics, Strength of Materials, and Product Design and Development.

Vice Chair

Ismail Fidan, PhD
Professor of Engineering Technology and Director of the University's Maker Space
Tennessee Tech University

Currently, Dr. Fidan is a professor of Engineering Technology and director of the University's Maker Space at Tennessee Tech University. Since he joined the university, he received three sabbatical positions at Nigde University, Turkey as a Fulbright Senior Scholar, Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a Research Scientist, and Micro-Nano Technology Education Center at Pasadena City College as Visiting Scholar. He currently holds four associate editorship positions at IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology, International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, ASEE Journal of Engineering Technology, and Journal of Advanced Technological Education. He has 170+ published papers in peer-reviewed journals and proceedings. He is the recipient of the 2003 SME Jiri Tlusty Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award, 2014 SME Award of Merit, and 2016 & 2018 SME Distinguished Faculty Advisor Awards.

Commitee Members

Jeffrey A. Abell, PhD, FSME, CMfgE, PE
General Motors

Jeffrey A. Abell, PhD, FSME, CMfgE, PE, is chief scientist for global manufacturing and director of manufacturing systems research at General Motors. He is responsible for global manufacturing research strategy and implementation at GM focused on vehicle electrification, lightweight systems manufacturing, automation and smart manufacturing. Abell led a research team that played a key role in bringing the Chevy Volt advanced battery to production and has held other leadership positions in product development and manufacturing at GM, Delphi and DaimlerChrysler, including two international assignments. Abell has written numerous technical publications, been granted several patents and has a strong track record of successful manufacturing technology implementation. He was twice presented with the Boss Kettering Award, GM's highest recognition for technical innovation. Abell has served in various capacities with SME such as a member of the International Awards & Recognition Committee and chair of the Education & Accreditation Committee. He has served on SME’s North American Manufacturing Research Institution (NAMRI) Board of Directors and is an SME Fellow. Abell currently is a member of the Corporate Member Council of the American Society of Engineering Education, the Industry Advisory Board of ASME and the Smart Manufacturing Executive Council of CESMII. He is past chair of the Industrial Advisory Council and former member of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Abell has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from GMI (now Kettering University), graduate degrees in systems engineering from Oakland University, and is both a licensed professional engineer and an SME Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE). SME Member Since 2006

Dan Bee
Professor of Practice/Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin-Stout

Dan Bee is a twenty-year veteran faculty member with the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, WI and has helped develop and lead the manufacturing engineering programs during his tenure there. Currently, he is a lead facilitator of senior design projects for both the manufacturing and mechanical engineering programs and is in the process of creating a manuscript of case studies on the framework for teamwork and problem solution approaches utilized by UW-Stout. He has a deep commitment to all things sustainable and developed Stout’s successful Sustainability Minor, which is common with students across the university. He and his wife have recently completed building their own new passive house.

Dan has master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in manufacturing systems engineering and mechanical engineering, respectively. Prior to and during a recent hiatus from Stout, Dan has a rich history of industry experience in military aircraft design and manufacture, computer assembly, paper products manufacture, and extruded plastics manufacturing. While in the academic settings, Dan has served numerous leadership roles including program director for the B.S. and M.S. in Manufacturing Engineering programs, coordinator of the Sustainability Minor, and department chair of the Engineering & Technology Department. While away from UW-Stout from 2010 to 2017, Dan also served as the Associate Dean for Sustainability and Associate Dean of Integrated Technologies at Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI. He has been an active member of the ASEE Manufacturing Division and serves as a Program Evaluator for manufacturing related engineering programs for ABET.

Mel Cossette
Executive Director and Principal Investigator for the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education funded project Online Instructional Resources for Material Science Technology Education

Mel Cossette is the Executive Director and Principal Investigator for the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education funded project Online Instructional Resources for Material Science Technology Education [formerly the National Resource Center for Materials Technology Education (MatEdU)] housed at Edmonds College in Lynnwood, WA. She is also the PI for an NSF ATE project, Technician Education and Additive Manufacturing & Materials, a Co-PI on a newly funded NSF ATE Micro Nano Technology Education Center and Co-PI on the MANEUVER Project with Purdue Northwest. Mel is an ABET Alternate Commissioner for Engineering Technology Accreditation Council (ETAC) through SME and a founding member of ABET's Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory Council. Mel has 20+ years of experience in manufacturing education focusing on technician education and workforce development. She has developed technician training programs for industry and educational institutions; serves on numerous committees and national boards; worked in various industries; and held administrative positions within the community and technical college system.

Bob Dummer, PE, CPM
Synovis Life Technologies Inc. (retired)

Bob Dummer has worked in Manufacturing for over 45 years. Providing leadership in various industries – most recently the Medical Device industry. He has led plant relocations, assembly line automation and efficiency improvements, new product launches and supporting documentation for various regulatory bodies. He has mentored several middle school robotics teams and is also serving as a mentor for undergraduate engineering students. Bob has started several Lean/Continuous Improvement initiatives at the different companies he has worked at an was recognized for his efforts when Synovis Surgical Innovations was named Manufacturer of the Year.

Bob has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota and an M.S. in Manufacturing Systems from the University of St. Thomas. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and is currently enjoying retirement.

Yalcin Ertekin, PhD, CQE, CMfgE
Clinical Professor
Associate Director of Engineering Technology for Undergraduates
Drexel University

Yalcin Ertekin, Ph.D., CMfgE, CQE Yalcin Ertekin is a clinical professor in the College of Engineering, Department of Engineering Leadership and Society at Drexel University, Philadelphia, and serves as the Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Studies for the Engineering Technology program. He received his BS degree from Istanbul Technical University in Turkey, an MSc in Production Management from the University of Istanbul, an MS in Engineering Management, and an MS and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri Rolla. Dr. Ertekin has also been a Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE), awarded by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) since 2001, and a Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) since 2004. In addition to positions in the automotive industry, Dr. Ertekin has held faculty positions at Western Kentucky University and Trine University. In 2010, he joined Drexel University's College of Engineering as an associate clinical professor. He has been instrumental in course development and the assessment and improvement of the Engineering Technology curriculum, including integrated laboratories, project-based learning, and practicum-based assessment. Dr. Ertekin serves as the faculty advisor for the student chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (S058) and is a member of the College’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. He is also a program evaluator for ABET’s Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission representing the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Involved in research, Ertekin has received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), private foundations, and industry. His research has focused on the improvement of manufacturing laboratories and curricula and the adoption of process simulation into machining and additive manufacturing practices. His areas of expertise are in CAD/CAM, manufacturing processes, machine and process design with CAE methods, additive and subtractive manufacturing, quality control and lean manufacturing.

Morteza Sadat-Hossieny, PhD
Professor
Northern Kentucky University

Dr. Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering Tech., Oklahoma State University, M.S. Manufacturing Engineering Tech., Murray State University, Ph.D. Industrial Technology & Edu., Iowa State University

Area of Concentration: CAD, CAM, CNC, Quality Control, Robotics & Industrial Automation

Interests: Engineering/Technology Education, EGT innovative Curriculum Development, Program Assessment

Michael D. Johnson, PhD
Professor, Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution
Texas A&M University

Dr. Michael D. Johnson is professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University. He also serves as the Associate Dean for Inclusion and Faculty Success in the College of Engineering. Prior to joining the faculty at Texas A&M, he was a senior product development engineer at the 3M Corporate Research Laboratory in St. Paul, Minnesota. He received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University. Dr. Johnson received his S.M. and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Johnson’s research focuses on engineering education, production economics, and design tools. Dr. Johnson has over 80 peer reviewed publications and several patents. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and industry.

Dr. Johnson is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, SME, and a senior member of IEEE. He served as the president of the Tau Alpha Pi Engineering Technology Honor Society national board from 2014-2018. He is past chair of the Mechanical Engineering Technology Leadership Committee. He is also a member of the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Dr. Johnson has won several departmental and college-level awards for teaching, research, and service. He is also an ASEE National Engineering Technology Teaching Award and Fredrick J. Berger Award winner.

Niaz Latif, PhD
Dean, College of Technology
Purdue University Northwest

Dr. Niaz Latif serves as the Dean of the College of Technology at Purdue University Northwest. Dr. Latif has played several important leadership roles at Purdue University Northwest (PNW), most recently as the Interim Dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences. Niaz also served as Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies.

Dr. Latif is a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and received the ASEE Frederick J. Berger Award for programmatic and individual excellence in engineering technology education. He was awarded PNW’s Outstanding Administrative Leader Award. He is the Executive Director of the Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center (CMEC) at Purdue University Northwest. Dr. Latif has also received several federal grants for workforce development, including grants from the National Science Foundation, US Department of Labor and the US Department of Commerce.

Dr. Latif has been involved with ABET for more than 25 years. He has served as the program evaluator for Mechanical Engineering Technology and Manufacturing Engineering Technology under the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of ABET. Dr. Latif was a commissioner of the ETAC of ABET, as well as a commissioner of Applied and Natural Sciences Accreditation Commission (ANSAC) of ABET. He is currently the Chair-elect for the Executive Committee of ANSAC.

Dr. Latif earned his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Neil Littell, PhD, PMP
Associate Professor, Russ College of Engineering and Technology, Department of Engineering Technology and Management
Ohio University

Dr. Neil Littell is an Associate Professor and Kraft Family Scholar at Ohio University within the Russ College of Engineering and Technology in the Department of Engineering Technology and Management. Dr. Littell is a certified PMP and earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Leadership and Workforce Development (2013) from Mississippi State University. Dr. Littell also received a Masters in Technology from Mississippi State University (2005). Additionally, he holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Industrial Technology and Trade and Technical Studies from Mississippi State University (2004). Dr. Littell also has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Drafting and Design from Holmes Community College (2002).

Dr. Littell is an accomplished business manager with more than 15 years of experience providing results-oriented leadership. His previous positions include the PLM Coordinator at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems at Mississippi State University from 2004-2008. He was Director at Large for Dassault Systemès Community of Experts, COE, the World’s largest users group of Dassault PLM products from 2008 to 2012. Dr. Littell is passionate about helping companies implement digital engineering solutions to enable them to develop products faster, with fewer resources, and with higher quality. He frequently works as a consultant on engineering data management projects for many companies, including some Fortune 100 companies.

Tom McDonald, PhD
Professor of the Department of Engineering and Director of the Manufacturing Engineering Program
University of Southern Indiana

Dr. Tom McDonald is a professor in the Department of Engineering and Director of the Manufacturing Engineering program at the University of Southern Indiana. He has worked in a variety of industries including textiles and the motion control industry. He received his B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University and his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering with an emphasis in Management Systems from Virginia Tech. Dr. McDonald is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Dr. McDonald has served as a PEV for ASEE since 2021 and for SME since 2022.

Eric McKell
Teaching Professor of Manufacturing Engineering
Brigham Young University

Eric McKell is a Teaching Professor of Manufacturing Engineering, at Brigham Young University, He specializes in CAD/CAM, material removal processes, and tool design. Professor McKell received his B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering Technology and his M.S. in Manufacturing Engineering, both at Brigham Young University. He has industrial experience with several companies, including Boeing, Specified Fittings, Grizzly Industrial, and Heath Techna. Prior to coming to BYU, he taught Manufacturing Engineering Technology at Western Washington University for 14 years. In 2011, he joined BYU as a professional faculty member. Professor McKell teaches several undergraduate and graduate courses in Manufacturing Engineering, including CAD/CAM, material removal, tool design and manufacturing leadership. One of his hobbies, that relates to his teaching areas, is the design and manufacture of ukuleles. This initially started out with sheet metal forming and has moved to machining the entire ukulele out of aluminum.

Jianbiao John Pan, PhD, FINMAPS
Professor, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Dr. Jianbiao John Pan is Professor in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (IME) at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, CA. He served as Professor and Chair in the Department of Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management at California State University Northridge (CSUN) from 2022 to 2024. He received a Ph.D. degree in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA. Dr. Pan's research interests lie in materials, process, thermal management, and reliability of microelectronics and electronic packaging.

Dr. Pan is a recipient of IMAPS William D. Ashman – John A. Wagnon Technical Achievement Award (2022), IMAPS Outstanding Educator Award (2011), and SME M. Eugene Merchant Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award (2004). He has served as the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Microelectronics and Electronic Packaging since 2012 and an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology from 2011 to 2018. He is a Fellow of IMAPS, a senior member of IEEE, a senior member of ASQ, and a senior member of SME. He is an ABET evaluator for the SME.

Daniel G. Sanders (Retired)
Senior Technical Fellow
Boeing Research & Technology

Daniel G. Sanders, FSME, FASM started his career in industry as a machinist in 1977, which led him to become an accomplished tool & die maker. Since then, he studied for multiple engineering degrees, all while working full-time concurrently at Boeing for a total of 42 years. He completed a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the U.W. (2008).

As a Senior Technical Fellow for Boeing Research & Technology, he worked to develop innovative manufacturing & materials technologies for aerospace products using methods such as friction stir welding, laser welding, superplastic forming, diffusion bonding, castings, linear friction welding, machine design, applied robotics, surface finishing, shot peening, testing of new titanium alloys and the advancement of several emerging additive manufacturing (AM) processes.

Dr. Sanders is a strong advocate of lifelong learning and is currently very active as an affiliate professor for the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Washington (U.W.). He currently serves as one of SME’s volunteers in support of ABET accredited manufacturing programs. As a hobby, Dr. Sanders enjoys tunneling in his hard rock gold mines located in the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington State. He also serves as a volunteer firefighter & rescue officer for the Kittitas County Fire District #7.

Iqbal Shareef, PhD
Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Bradley University

Dr. Iqbal Shareef is a professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at Bradley University, Peoria Illinois USA. He has BS, MS, PhD, and postdoctoral research in Mechanical Engineering. During his tenure at Bradley, he has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in areas of Manufacturing Processes, Design for Manufacturing, Optimal Design, and Tribology. He has more than 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and proceedings, and as a member of NCEES he has written more than 100 PE items. While at Bradley, he spent four sabbaticals at Caterpillar Inc. as a Senior Engineering Specialist R&D, Fours Summers as NASA Faculty Fellow, and two summers as an Argonne National Labs Faculty Fellow. He is Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a Fellow of ASM International, and a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois. He serves as a reviewer of research articles in several journals and is a member of ASM, ASME, SME, TMS, ISPE, NSPE, Tau Beta Pi, and Sigma Xi.

Jyhwen Wang, PhD, FSME
Professor, Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution
Texas A&M University

Jyhwen Wang is a professor of engineering technology and industrial distribution and at Texas A&M University. He received his PhD in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University in 1991. Prior to joining Texas A&M, he was a researcher and R&D manager at Weirton Steel Technology Center in Weirton, West Virginia. Dr. Wang’s research interests are in the design and analysis of manufacturing processes. He has conducted research on high strength steel applications in metal packaging, plastic deformation of layered materials, and metal and polymer based additive manufacturing. Dr. Wang served as an associate editor for ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering and was a commissioner of ABET/ETAC. He is serving on the SME Accreditation and Education Committee and on the editorial board of ASEE Journal of Engineering Technology. Dr. Wang is a recipient of the SME/NAMRI outstanding paper award, SME Education Foundation Research Initiation Grant, and NSF CAREER Award. He is a member of ASEE and a fellow of SME and ASME.

Ex-Officio

Brett Peters, PhD
Dean of the College of Engineering & Applied Science
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Brett Peters, PhD is a past chair of the SME Member Council and has served on the SME International Awards and Recognition Committee, Finance Committee, and Joint Nominating Committee. He is a past president of the College-Industry Council on Material Handling Education and has served on the board of directors of Midwest Energy Research Consortium, Milwaukee7’s Next Generation Manufacturing Council, and the REMADE Strategic Advisory Committee. He previously served on the editorial board for SME’s Journal of Manufacturing Systems. He is currently dean of the College of Engineering & Applied Science at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). He received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in industrial and systems engineering from University of Arkansas (UofA) and Georgia Institute of Technology. He spent his faculty career at Texas A&M University (TAMU) progressing through faculty ranks to professor and then served as department head for 10 years prior to moving to UWM. He is a fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. He received the Outstanding Young Alumni award and was inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering at UofA and has received the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer award, as well as other distinguished university awards, including the Ford Faculty Fellowship at TAMU. SME Member Since 1994.

Ex-Officio

Albert J. Wavering, FSME
National Institute of Standards and Technology (retired)

Albert J. Wavering, FSME is the retired deputy director for planning and operations for the Engineering Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He advised and supported the EL director regarding laboratory-wide operations, strategic planning, budgets and resources, and facilities development to advance the laboratory’s research programs. Wavering previously served as chief of the NIST Intelligent Systems Division. In this role, he directed measurement science and standards research programs to drive innovation and reduce risks of adoption of additive manufacturing, robotics, cybersecurity and other advanced manufacturing technologies to advance U.S. industrial competitiveness. Wavering also served as the acting deputy director of the NIST Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory from 2008-10. He joined NIST in 1985 as a mechanical engineer with a research background in robotics and automation. Wavering was awarded the SME Philip R. Marsilius Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award in 1996 and was elected to the SME College of Fellows in 2009. He served on the SME Education Foundation Proposal Review Committee from 1999-2007 and as a member of the SME Education Foundation Board of Directors from 2007-10. Wavering has served as a member of the SME Board of Directors since 2019. SME Member Since 1998.

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Mission

SME's Manufacturing Education & Accreditation Committee serves through benchmarking, identification, definition and assistance in the implementation of manufacturing education activities and accreditation standards and guidelines. The committee functions in an advisory role for these activities to the SME Board of Directors. 

General Responsibilities

The Committee’s primary responsibility is to represent SME in activities related to the accreditation globally of manufacturing education programs in engineering, engineering technology, industrial technology and related manufacturing education programs. It coordinates representation and input on accreditation visits, processes and policies, defining appropriate requirements for manufacturing programs and advocating for and promoting the quality of manufacturing programs through accreditation. The Accreditation Committee is an International Standing Committee reporting to the Executive Committee.

Ongoing Agenda in Support of SME Strategic Plan

• Promote the benefits of postsecondary manufacturing education programs based on the Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge and accreditation of these manufacturing education programs globally through engagement of academia and employers.
• Maintain the currency and relevancy of manufacturing program accreditation criteria to contemporary manufacturing environments and practices and ensure they are forward looking.
• Identify, recruit and train the best manufacturing education and industry leaders to support and become engaged for development of innovative manufacturing education programs and engagement in accreditation activities.
• Formally recognize people, institutions and companies for excellence in their support and engagement in manufacturing accreditation.

SME Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge

Use the Four Pillars to improve the breadth and depth of the engineering and engineering technology graduates you hire!

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SME-ABET Accredited Programs

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