928-523-4970
epic@nau.eduEPIC Speaker Series
Discover innovation through the EPIC Speaker Series
The EPIC (Equal Partners in Inclusive Community) Speaker Series, presented by the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering, showcases thought leaders and innovators who are shaping the future of engineering, technology, and STEM fields. Designed to inspire and connect the NAU engineering community, this series explores diverse topics, from mentoring and career development to cutting-edge innovations and inclusive initiatives. With guest speakers ranging from esteemed faculty to industry experts at organizations like Boeing and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the EPIC Speaker Series provides students and faculty with unique opportunities to engage, learn, and envision their own impact within the engineering world.
Upcoming seminars with EPIC
Walter Cuculic: Renewable energy insights
Join Walter Cuculic, Senior Vice President at Legacy Bank and Trust, for a discussion on the renewable energy industry. With over 20 years of experience in project finance and development, Walter has worked on over $1B in renewable energy projects. He’ll share insights on engineering projects, the renewable energy sector, and his personal experiences working at companies like SunPower, SolarCity, and Tesla.
Stay connected with NAU EPIC on Instagram
Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates on the EPIC Speaker Series, mentorship opportunities, scholarships, grants, and more. Stay informed about events, our mission and vision, and ways to get involved in the EPIC community.
Past Speaker Series
Spring 2024
Boeing, BE-IN
March 1, 2:30–4 p.m.
In person; LRC 106
Boeing Panel Discussion, Mesa Boeing Employee Indigenous Network
Come and listen to our guest speakers:
- Discuss their experiences with Boeing and their interest in joining the company
- Learn about how to pursue a career in STEM/engineering and get involved in the field.
- Discover fascinating projects and achievements at Boeing.
The Positives of Failure
April 12, 3–4:30 p.m.
Online
The Positives of Failure: How failing can lead to success
- Failure is not an option? How often do we hear or even say this in our society; but is it really true?
- Mistakes can lead to success; learning from failure can lead to better outcomes.
- Join us for a presentation and hands-on activity as we explore what are the benefits to failing and why failure may not only be an option but also may sometimes be the best option.
Speakers:
- Dr. A.D. Cropper: PhD in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech, Electro-Optical, Infrared Engineering Fellow, and a Hyperspectral Imaging Technical SME with RTX. The AISES “2014 Professional of the Year” and past President of AISES Publishing Inc. Board of Directors. The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has recognized him as a “National ICON in Science & Technology” and a “Caribbean ICON in Science Technology & Innovation.” In 2017, Dr. Cropper received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Susanna Packauskas-Lewalski: Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Principal Systems Engineer with Collins Aerospace. A 2019 Sequoyah Fellow, she has been an avid supporter of AISES since 2013. She is an active member of the RTX Alliance of Indigenous Nations (RAIN). Susanna is the 2023 winner of the RTX Ally of the Year for her work with RAIN. Although non-native herself, Susanna is interested in Native American culture and issues, as her husband and children are members of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma.
Fall 2023
Mentoring and EPIC Opportunities
October 13, 3:30–5 p.m.
In person; EGR 101
Come and hear about:
- EPIC Pre-internship Program
- Grants and Scholarships
- Guest Speaker Talking about Mentoring
Cole Hatfield Joslyn, PhD
- Assistant Professor, NAU
- Director of Humanizing Engineering (HumanizEng) Education, Research, and Outreach (HERO)
- Research area: Integrating Hispanic/LatinX/Boricua/CubanX/MexicanX/XicanX (HLBCMX+) cultures, values, and holistic, socio-culturally responsive/relevant practices into educational success strategies for HLBCMX+ students to nurture a sense of belonging in engineering and the profession.
Women in STEM
November 17, 3:30–5 p.m.
In person; ENG 101
Join us in learning:
- How this group of women thrive in their positions of leadership.
Also: - Great opportunity to ask your questions about both academic and industrial environments
- Speakers with different majors and experiences to share
Speakers:
- Kate Carroll: NAU CEIAS, Mechanical Engineering Lecturer
- Nassibeh Hosseini: W.L. Gore, Bio-Material Scientist
- Diana Calvo Martinez: NAU CEIAS, Environmental Engineering Assistant Professor
USPTO’s Inclusive Innovation Initiatives
December 1, 3:30–5 p.m.
In person; ENG 101
NAU engineering alumni and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Western Regional Director Mary Fuller will discuss:
- The progress and challenges to increasing participation of women in underrepresented groups in the innovation ecosystem.
- The inclusive innovation initiatives and activities at the USPTO designed to broaden participation in innovation, as well as share her own career path as an electrical engineering major.
- Student internships and careers at the USPTO, America’s Innovation Agency.
Spring 2023
Women in STEM Panel
April 14, 2:30–4 p.m.
In person; EGR 101
Watch a Zoom recording of the Women in STEM Panel
An Afternoon with Gore and AISES
March 10, 2:30–4 p.m.
In person; EGR 101
Watch a Zoom recording of An Afternoon with Gore and AISES
Learn more about the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
Fall 2022
EPIC Fail with Raytheon
December 2, 2–3:30 p.m.
In person; EGR 101
Soft Matter Leads to Hard Science
November 4, 3–4 p.m.
In person; EGR 101
An Evening with SACNAS
October 14, 4–5 p.m.
In person; EGR 101
Learn more about the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) at NAU
Spring 2022
Women in Leadership Panel
April 6, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
In person; EGR 120
Veterans in Engineering Panel
March 9, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
In person; EGR 120
LatinX Leadership Panel
February 16, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
In person; EGR 120
Fall 2021
Brooke C. Coley, PhD
Assistant Professor in Engineering, ASU
Principal Investigator, SPACE Lab
November 17, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
EGR, Rm 218
Zach Lerner, PhD
Assistant Professor, NAU
Cofounder, Biomotum
November 3, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
EGR, Rm 218
Dominique Bain, PhD
Xcel Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
October 20, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
EGR, Rm 218
EPIC Fail
October 6, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Matthew Montoya Rush
September 29, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Center for Materials Interfaces in Research and Applications (MIRA)
Raytheon Panel
August 25, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Online
Spring 2021
W.L. Gore Panel
April 7, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Online
Kiona Ogle
Professor in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems (SICCS) at NAU
March 31, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Online
EPIC Fail and Recovery
March 10, 5:30–7 p.m.
Online
Ana Dyreson
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Tech
January 27, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Online
Lisa Bagwell
Director of Field Application Engineering, leading North America teams at ABB
February 17, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Online
Fall 2020
John Georgas, PhD
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, NAU
November 4, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Jennifer Martinez, PhD
Director, Center for Materials Interfaces in Research and Applications (MIRA), NAU
October 21, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
EPIC Fail
October 7, 5:30–7 p.m.
We value your feedback.
Please fill a short survey (closed).
Karin Wadsack, MS
Project director and technical expert, Energy policy
September 23, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Raytheon Panel
August 26, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Online
Spring 2020
EPIC Fail open mic event
March 11, 5:50 p.m.
EGR 101
Kelly Franklin, PE
April 23, 5:30 p.m.
Online
Gabriel Montaño, PhD
April 9, 5:30 p.m.
Online
Laura Mersmann
March 4, 5:30 p.m.
Building 69, Rm 101
Chad S. Hamill, PhD
February 9, 5:30 p.m.
Building 69, Rm 101
Genevieve Bennally
January 23, 5:30 p.m.
Building 69, Rm 321