Teaching Professor - Fundamentals of Engineering Program
Hensel's doctorate is in Curriculum and Instruction, focusing on teaching of STEM fields in higher education, she also holds B.S. and M.A. degrees in Mathematics. Hensel has over seven years of experience working in engineering teams and in project management and administration as a Mathematician and Computer Systems Analyst for the U. S. Department of Energy as well as 30 years of experience teaching mathematics, statistics, computer science, and fundamental engineering courses as well as serving in a variety of administrative roles in higher education institutions. Currently, she leads a team of faculty who are dedicated to providing first year engineering students with a high-quality, challenging, and engaging educational experience with the necessary advising, mentoring, and academic support to facilitate their transition to university life and to prepare them for success in their engineering discipline majors and future careers. She is an active member of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) and has reviewed and presented papers, moderated sessions, and served on the ASEE First-year Programs Division Executive Board. She has served as PI and Co-PI on several Engineering Education-related NSF Grants, served as a reviewer for NSF panels, and continues to pursue funded research activities. Her current research interests focus on student transition to college, academic success, retention and persistence, as well as related issues of diversity, equity, and inclusivity within STEM fields and especially in engineering.
Education
Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction, Higher Education Teaching with Mathematics/Computer Science emphases, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 1988
M.A. Mathematics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 1983
B.S. Mathematics, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, 1981