Student Advisory Board

The Student Advisory Board (SAB) represents the interests of students at all levels of the mechanical engineering program to assist the Department Chair. Members serve for one academic year (Fall and Spring semesters) and meet several times each semester with members working on projects throughout the year.

As the Student Advisory Board we strive to continually improve students academic and occupational success; finding ways to interpret student voice, drive decision and implement changes within the MBE department. – adopted December 2019

The Student Advisory Board meets regularly with the Department leadership to serve as a sounding board, share concerns on behalf of the student body, and organize projects to enhance the student experience. Projects are generally (but not exclusively) focused in the areas of Curriculum, Community, and Infrastructure.

Past SAB groups have accomplished much in developing the ME experience for our students.

• Co-development on the Pre-Mechanical Engineering program
• Input on the design of the new curriculum
• Conversations on curriculum alignment with other departments (Math, Chemistry, Physics)
• Requests for more challenging applied exercises earlier in the curriculum
• Feedback on elective offerings and certificate programs
• Polling students on best academic learning experiences
• Request for increased ethics instruction and hands-on activities throughout the curriculum

• Planning the fall and spring student social events
• Planning and staffing Bronco Day events
• Recognizing student achievement
• Problem-solving how to get more involvement in student organizations
• Encouragement of study groups and other student-support activities
• Hosted a virtual student-only town hall event to get feedback on student challenges with pandemic and non-pandemic issues

• Expansion of the Engineering Innovation Studio
• Prioritizing resources from Professional Fees
• Development of Peer Educator and tutoring efforts

Any enrolled ME or Pre-ME student may be nominated to serve on the SAB. 

The goal is to get perspectives and experience from all levels of our program, as well as representation from our diverse student body. At present, the SAB is designed for representation from Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior levels, as well as an appointed Graduate student.

• Serve for a full academic year (August – May)
• Be able to meet 2-3 times each semester
• Be willing to interact with peers to disseminate information and ask for feedback
• Work independently with committees and work groups to promote the projects the SAB is addressing
• Provide summary output to the Department Chair

Elections are held each spring semester for the following academic year. Students may nominate themselves or someone else; all nominees will be verified on willingness to serve. All ME and Pre-ME students can vote on their representatives. The Board will ideally include students from all levels of the program.

Watch for emails from the MBE program on upcoming elections.