Frances S. Johnson Junior Faculty Innovative Teaching Award

Based on their research on mental health and low-income students’ belonging and identity in engineering education—and their own life experiences—Justin C. Major regularly inspires students to persevere and achieve. Since joining Rowan in 2022, the assistant professor of Experiential Engineering Education in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering has used innovative pedagogical approaches to prioritize mental health and reshape the first-year engineering experience. They engage future engineers in experiential engineering projects that build competency and confidence and celebrate their successes. In their work, Major strives to create a classroom where students feel like they can be themselves and thrive, leading them to become better, happier engineers. Major emphasizes that students must be able to see themselves as engineers and feel like they fit into the field, and this must be integrated into design projects. Major conducts National Science Foundation research examining how trauma and socioeconomic disadvantages impact engineering students. The research includes developing solutions to empower and support them.