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COEN Staff Directory

Welcome to the staff directory of the College of Engineering at Boise State University. Our college is composed of passionate and highly skilled professionals dedicated to excellence in education, research, and innovation. We boast a distinguished faculty body composed of accomplished researchers and industry professionals. These experts are not only dedicated educators, but also mentors who are committed to nurturing students’ intellectual growth and professional development. With their guidance and mentorship, students receive personalized attention and support throughout their academic journey. Together, we are committed to empowering our students, advancing engineering knowledge, and contributing to the technological progress of our community, state, and beyond.

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The Dean

About Dr. JoAnn S. Lighty

Bio

Dr. Lighty comes to Boise State from the University of Utah and the National Science Foundation, where she has been a division director since October 2013. A professor at the University of Utah for 29 years, Dr. Lighty was chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering, director of the Institute for Combustion and Energy Studies, and associate dean for academics in the College of Engineering. She received the SWE Distinguished Engineering Educator Award, the Utah Engineering Educator of the Year from the Utah Engineering Council, and the University’s Linda Amos Award for Distinguished Service to Women. She earned her Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the same university in 1988. Dr. Lighty’s research focuses on combustion-generated fine particulate matter formation, soot oxidation, and carbon capture technologies. She is a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and has served on several national boards and committees focusing on the environmental aspects of combustion. As the director of the NSF’s Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems, she led 16 programs and was a key architect of the cross-NSF initiative, Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems, serving as co-lead since its launch in 2015.

Office of the Dean

Our Office of the Dean staff provide the day-to-day operations keeping our faculty, staff, and students on track for a successful year. Our team helps with scheduling leadership meetings, travel requests, policy guidance, and more.

Academic Affairs

Our college’s academic affairs team is committed to shaping the future of engineering education and empowering students to reach their fullest potential. From academic advisors providing personalized guidance to administrative staff ensuring smooth operations, each member plays a crucial role in fostering a vibrant learning environment.

Research Affairs

Our college’s research affairs team is committed to advancing engineering research and innovation. We provide essential support to faculty and students, facilitating cutting-edge research projects, securing funding, and fostering industry partnerships.

Contact us to learn more about College of Engineering research and potential partnership opportunities. Please email Dr. Todd Otanicar with the Office of Research Development & Support at coenresearch@boisestate.edu.

Department Chairs

Our college’s Department Chairs bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their respective departments, guiding faculty and students toward academic excellence and innovative research.

Development and Foundation

Our college’s foundation team develops opportunities to take donors’ ideas turning them into impact to fuel Boise State’s mission to be a student-success-driven research university that impacts our communities.

  • Scott Jurgens

    Scott Jurgens

    Senior Director of Development

    Contact Scott about development and giving opportunities.

    Contact Scott about development and giving opportunities.

  • Brenda Rodriguez

    Brenda Rodriguez

    Advancement Coordinator

    Contact Brenda about alumni engagement opportunities, COEN’s Industry Advisory Board, and the Visionary Employer Partnership program.

    Contact Brenda about alumni engagement opportunities, COEN’s Industry Advisory Board, and the Visionary Employer Partnership program.

Micron Student Success Center

Our college’s Micron Student Success Center team assists prospective, current, and transfer students through connections to campus and university resources, and career discovery with job opportunities, interview preparation, resume building, and more.

  • Adriana Facundo

    Adriana Facundo

    Director

  • Leandra Aburusa-Lete

    Leandra Aburusa-Lete

    Career Success Coach

    Contact Leandra about career information, internships, resume and cover letter help, COEN Career Fairs, Networking Events, and Employer Info Sessions.

    Contact Leandra about career information, internships, resume and cover letter help, COEN Career Fairs, Networking Events, and Employer Info Sessions.

  • Mornida Chum

    Mornida Chum

    Outreach & Transfer Student Coordinator

    Contact Mornida for resource navigation, COEN tours, transfer and student support, scholarships, and student organizations.

    Contact Mornida for resource navigation, COEN tours, transfer and student support, scholarships, and student organizations.

Facilities

Finance and Budget

Our college’s finance and budget group supports faculty and staff ensuring the accuracy and stability of the college’s financial status. We support research by using grant management best practices to ensure grant funds are spent in compliance with sponsor requirements and providing support from the grant cycle from pre-award to grant closeout.

Please email coenbusiness@boisestate.edu for questions about financial or grant management questions.

  • Courtney Ronan

    Courtney Ronan

    Director, Budget and Finance

    Contact Courtney about College of Engineering financial reporting and budgeting, research administration management, and business process improvement.

    Contact Courtney about College of Engineering financial reporting and budgeting, research administration management, and business process improvement.

  • Robert Allen

    Robert Allen

    Grants Accountant

    Contact Robert about Civil Engineering grant management, Construction Management grant management, salary reports, and Indirect Cost (F&A) allocations.

    Contact Robert about Civil Engineering grant management, Construction Management grant management, salary reports, and Indirect Cost (F&A) allocations.

  • Cecilia Camacho

    Cecilia Camacho

    Research Administrator

    Contact Cecilia about Computer Science grant management, Dean’s Office payment and requisition requests, and correcting entries.

    Contact Cecilia about Computer Science grant management, Dean’s Office payment and requisition requests, and correcting entries.

  • Corina Cruz

    Corina Cruz

    Research Administrator

    Contact Corina about Computer Science grant management.

    Contact Corina about Computer Science grant management.

  • Manuela Estrada Garrido

    Manuela Estrada Garrido

    Research Administrator

    Contact Manuela about Biomedical Engineering grant management, grant management process improvement, and College of Engineering research administrator training.

    Contact Manuela about Biomedical Engineering grant management, grant management process improvement, and College of Engineering research administrator training.

  • Amon Johnson

    Amon Johnson

    Research Business Manager

    Contact Amon about the Dean’s Office grant management, School of Computing grant management, grant management process improvement, and College of Engineering pre-award support.

    Contact Amon about the Dean’s Office grant management, School of Computing grant management, grant management process improvement, and College of Engineering pre-award support.

  • Kim Tabarini

    Kim Tabarini

    Research Administrator

    Contact Kim about Electrical and Computer Engineering grant management.

    Contact Kim about Electrical and Computer Engineering grant management.

  • Taylor Vargas

    Taylor Vargas

    Research Administrator

    Contact Taylor about Mechanical Engineering grant management and College of Engineering check deposits.

    Contact Taylor about Mechanical Engineering grant management and College of Engineering check deposits.

Information Technology

Our college’s information technology group enhance support services provided to faculty, staff, and students to resolve technology problems, manage equipment and tech property, and support our modern engineering facilities.

Marketing and Communications

Our college’s marketing and communications team assist in highlighting faculty innovation and student success by building stories, content, and connections through print, social, and digital media.

  • Jamie Fink

    Jamie Fink

    Senior Communications Specialist

    Contact Jamie about student success stories, research awards, faculty news, and information about the College of Engineering.

    Contact Jamie about student success stories, research awards, faculty news, and information about the College of Engineering.

  • Michele Armstrong

    Michele Armstrong

    Graphic Design Specialist

    Contact Michele about brand standards, College of Engineering publications, and visual communication troubleshooting.

    Contact Michele about brand standards, College of Engineering publications, and visual communication troubleshooting.

  • Brandalyn Athons

    Brandalyn Athons

    Software Engineer 1

    Contact Brandalyn about web accessibility, troubleshooting, and online projects.

    College of Engineering

    Contact Brandalyn about web accessibility, troubleshooting, and online projects.

By Department

Faculty and Staff

Civil Engineering

CE Faculty and Staff Directory

Computer Science

CS Faculty and Staff Directory

Construction Management

CM Faculty and Staff Directory

Electrical and Computer Engineering

ECE Faculty and Staff Directory

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering

MBE Faculty and Staff Directory

Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering

MSMSE Faculty and Staff Directory

Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning

OPWL Faculty and Staff Directory
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