Howard Community College

A Career Path Confi rmed: Natacha Ngea Found Direction and Support at HCC Natacha Ngea was considering an engineering career, but found herself questioning if the work she would eventually do would be the right fit for her. She registered for a computer repair class at Howard Community College, and by the end of the semester, she was inspired, confident and ready to become a STEM Scholar. "As soon as I entered the engineering program, I felt supported," said Ngea. "People were there to help me plan out my courses, get connected to other students and professionals in the field, and find mentors who could offer advice when I was struggling. They helped me stay focused but also open-minded to the possibilities." Upon completion of associate degrees in both computer support technology and computer science from HCC, Ngea transferred to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and on track to graduate in spring 2017. "The education I received at Howard Community College was outstanding and prepared me for my transfer to UMBC, and ultimately for my career," said Ngea. "The people who taught me are experienced professionals who take pride in their work and are committed to helping each student grow. Through them, my commitment to my profession was confirmed and then strengthened." New Biology for Engineers Course Introduced at HCC When a group of HCC students approached the engineering faculty with a shared interest in bioengineering, they did more than just ask questions about an emerging discipline, they inspired a new course. Brand new this semester, Howard Community College is offering a Biology for Engineers course. Taught jointly by Mark Edelen, assistant professor and chair of the engineering and technology department, and Luda Bard, associate professor of biology, the course addresses cell biology, genetics, bioengineering, and biomedical applications, just to name a few of the core areas of focus. "There is a need right now for scientists who understand biology, and math, and are innovative," says Bard. "In this course, we teach our students biology, but we incorporate quantitative analysis, design, and creativity of engineers." Edelen says, "Bioengineering is an evolving career path with more job opportunities opening up nationally and also in the local market. We are fortunate to have the resources and flexibility to develop new courses as the demands of our students, and the job market, evolve." who graduated from HCC in 2009 with an associate degree in engineering. "The pace and daily topics could be tailored to the students." Iglehart earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and currently works as a mechanical engineer in the private sector. For some, that personalized experience includes participation in one or more of the HCC engineering clubs that are offered on campus. Others are avid participants of the weekly Engineering Seminar, held each Thursday to bring all students together for presentations from local professionals, peer-to-peer networking, teambuilding activities, and some occasional friendly competition. "Through bringing our students together, we are creating a learning community – a 'we are all in this together' kind of culture that is very positive for students and faculty alike," said Edelen. "This also opens a door for us to be very intentional in our discussions about engineering ethics and how collaboration in our field works on campus, as well as out there in the real world." "The professors who taught my classes at HCC really cared about the students and wanted them to succeed. They really like to teach," said Kyle McDaniel, an HCC graduate who is currently studying mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park and who recently had an article published in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, an engineering scholarly journal. Spring 2015 | Pathways 11

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