Industrial Advisory Board Open Forum

Abstract

Kyle Crouse is a junior in engineering (with an electrical/computer concentration) at John Brown University. He is the Head of Communications and Treasurer of the JBU IEEE Student Branch ad is currently working with a team to design a low-cost maximum power point tracker (MPPT) for use with solar panels in developing countries. Kyle is passionate about engineering and music and aspires to work in the audio technology industry following graduation. Mr. Zachary Jordan Lee, John Brown UniversityZachary Lee is a Junior Electrical/Computer Engineering student at John Brown University with interests in computer programming, renewable energy, and smart grid technologies. He is the President of the JBU IEEE Student Branch, and is a member of the Honors Scholars Program and Leaders Scholars Institute. He is also an IEEE Power and Energy Society Scholar. Zachary is passionate about using engineering as a platform to help others through humanitarian engineering projects and education. Mr. Cameron Drax Geiger, John Brown UniversityDrax is a sophomore engineering student at John Brown University (JBU) pursuing his B.S. in Engineering with a Concentration in Mechanical Engineering and an Enhancement in Renewable Energy. He is the Vice President of Activities for JBU's IEEE student branch, and plans to pursue graduate work in Leadership Studies.c American Society for Engineering Education, 2015 Page 26.954.1 Industrial Advisory Board Open Forum AbstractJohn Brown University (JBU) uses its engineering industrial advisory board in a unique fashion which is helpful for its students, fun for the board members, and useful for the faculty and university. During one of its regular Industrial Advisory Board meetings, JBU arranges an Open Forum Panel where students are encouraged to ask board members any questions they may have. These questions cover a very broad range of student interests including, for example, how to get an internship, what industry is looking for when hiring new graduates, the utility of getting a professional engineering license, and how to prepare for admission to graduate school. After a recent forum, a survey was given to the students with 61 responding. The overwhelming response was very positive and included suggestions for improving future forums.