Joi Mondisa named director of the Engineering Education Research Graduate Program
Mondisa, an expert in mentoring scholarship, brings a balance of research expertise and industry experience.
Joi Mondisa, associate professor of industrial and operations engineering, has been selected as the new director of the Engineering Education Research (EER) Graduate Program at Michigan Engineering, effective September 1, 2025.
She succeeds Cindy Finelli, the David C. Munson, Jr. Professor of Engineering and professor of electrical and computer engineering and education, who has served as the director of EER since 2016.
Mondisa brings a strong background as a mentoring scholar, researcher and practitioner. Since joining the University of Michigan faculty in 2016, her research has focused on examining mentoring practices, programs and ecosystems that broaden participation in STEM higher education.
The EER graduate program prepares students with a strong foundation in engineering education theory and research, equipping them for impactful careers as educators, administrators and researchers.
“The field of engineering education research continues to evolve and expand,” Mondisa said. “I am excited to support our program and the EER faculty who contribute to this important field.”
Mondisa holds a PhD in Engineering Education and an MS in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, an MBA from Governors State University, and a BS in General Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to joining the University of Michigan, she spent a decade working in the areas of manufacturing, operations, technical sales, and publishing. She also taught as an adjunct faculty in the Engineering Technology Program at Triton College in River Grove, IL for seven years.
“Joi’s exemplary work in mentoring and STEM education makes her an ideal choice to lead the EER program,” said Karen A. Thole, Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering. “Her vision and extensive experience will expand the program’s influence in shaping the future of the engineering education field.”
The initial draft of this story was generated by U-M GPT and then revised and validated by human editors.