Assistant Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Dr. Tanjina Afrin, P.E. is an Associate Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Virginia Military Institute (VMI).  She received her Ph.D. from Clemson University, SC in Civil Engineering in 2016. She is passionate about teaching and before joining VMI in 2017, she taught at Tri-County Technical College, Clemson University, and Stamford University, Bangladesh. She is the assistant director of VMI Center for Undergraduate Research (VCUR).

Being a native of Dhaka, Bangladesh, she always is very much interested to apply her engineering knowledge to come up with a better solution for urban issues including a better understanding of stormwater management structures and air quality of urban areas. Exploring new areas of research and teaching methods excites her most.

She enjoys working with students. She is one of the faculty mentors VMI chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Society of Women Engineers

Area of Expertise

• Stormwater Management
• Low Impact Development (LID)
• Computational Fluid Dynamics

Courses Taught 

• CE 109: Introduction to Civil Engineering
• EGR 269: Engineering skills and disciplines (Tri-County Technical College, SC)
• CE 309: Fluid mechanics
• CE 341: Fluid Mechanics Lab (Clemson University, SC)
• CE 322: Water Resources Engineering
• CE 319W: Water Resources Engineering lab

Areas of Interests 

• LID for developing countries
• Hydraulic characteristics of Green Infrastructures (GI)
• Community participation in stormwater management
• Engineering Education
• Women in Engineering
• Education and Learning Strategies
• Air Quality for urban areas

Related Links and Media

Website:   https://sites.google.com/g.clemson.edu/tanjinaafrin/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanjina-afrin-phd-e-i-t-360b2776/

Afrin Resume

Assistant Professor
Civil Engineering

Education:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering), Florida State University, 2018
  • Dissertation: "Risk-Benefit Analysis and Optimization of LEED-Certified School Buildings Design and Construction: Statistical and Machine Learning Approaches"
  • Advisor: Dr. Yassir Abdel Razig
• M.S. in Civil Engineering, Florida State University, 2014
  • Thesis: "Buildings’ Sustainability Analysis: Analytical Hierarchy Process to Analyze Cost, LEED Credits, and Carbon Neutrality Utilizing a Building Information Modeling Platform"
• B.S. in Civil Engineering, Florida State University, 2012

Profile:

Dr. Ryan Doczy is an expert in sustainable design and construction, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and decision-making tools. He aims to quantify the health and productivity benefits of sustainable design to better understand its financial impacts. He has developed a passion for teaching through his experiences as a graduate teaching assistant and now as an Assistant Professor.

Research and Teaching Interests:

• Sustainable Infrastructure
• Building Information Modeling
• Energy and Environmental Modeling Software
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Green Buildings
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Operations Research
• Ergonomics
• Driving Simulation Technologies
• Traffic Safety

Selected Publications:

• Elkhapery, B., Kianmehr, P., & Doczy, R. (2023). "Tradeoff between well-being of students and cost of greening schools in arid regions." *Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 34*(3), 794-819.
• Mafi, S., Abdelrazig, Y., & Doczy, R. (2018). "Machine learning methods to analyze injury severity of drivers from different age and gender groups." *Transportation Research Record*.

Professional Development:

• Magna’s ‘Practical Solutions for Faculty: Higher-Order Learning’ (Fall 2023)
• Harvard University’s ‘Teaching Students to Ask Their Own Questions: Best Practices in the Question Formulation Technique’ (Spring 2022)

Professional Affiliations and Services:

• Faculty advisor for the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers at American University in Dubai (2019-2022)
• Chair of the AUD Committee on Recruitment and Retention (2020-2021)

Dr. Doczy is a dedicated educator and researcher, committed to advancing the field of civil engineering through sustainable practices and innovative teaching methods.

LinkedIn Profile

Maj. Ryan Doczy Resume

 

Kacie D’Alessandro, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Kacie C. D'Alessandro is a dedicated Civil Engineering Ph.D. with a rich educational background, having earned her Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in 2013, following an M.S. from Clemson University in 2017, and a B.S. from the same institution in 2016. Driven by a passion for education, she's held positions at renowned institutions, including Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University, where she taught civil engineering.

Kacie brings a wealth of experience, having served as a Research and Teaching Assistant at Virginia Tech and Clemson University. She holds several certifications and is an active member of professional organizations, such as the American Concrete Institute and the Society of Women Engineers.

Recognized for her expertise, Kacie has received numerous honors and awards, including the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges Mednick Fellowship in 2018 and the Outstanding Conference Paper Award in 2014. Her commitment to service is evident through her involvement in various committees, outreach programs, and leadership roles.

In recent years, Kacie has made significant contributions to her field through publications and presentations, highlighting her dedication to advancing engineering education. Her commitment to professional development is underscored by her participation in workshops and webinars, ensuring she remains at the forefront of her discipline.

Kacie C. D’Alessandro Resume

Wakeel I.A. Idewu, a native of New Orleans, joined the VMI faculty in 2009. He received a bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a master of science in engineering science from Louisiana State University. He also earned a doctorate in civil engineering from Louisiana State University.

With over 10 years of experience postgraduate teaching and transportation engineering, Idewu is an expert in simulation modeling using the Vissim platform and provides creative solutions to both common and uncommon transportation engineering problems. The broad scale of his past work includes the design and analysis of a new rail line in Anacostia, innovative pedestrian signals and intersections, and reconfigurations of work zone lane closures.

At 19, Idewu traded in his football cleats for engineering books. His athletic feats in high school gave him recognition as the best linebacker in the city of New Orleans at the time and earned him a scholarship to play football at the collegiate level. However, his dreams of playing football professionally were eventually overshadowed by his aspirations of becoming an engineer.

Drawn by the creative freedoms of a career in engineering, Dr. Idewu merged his profession with his past, by combining the creativity, adaptability, and perseverance he learned in football. 

He now employs those same life lessons in his family life and work. Idewu primarily focuses on interdisciplinary academic mentoring and interdisciplinary research in transportation engineering. Working across disciplines, Idewu continues to mentor students from 10 different majors helping them increase their academic scores and professional potential. Students have also worked with Idewu to conduct transportation research related to psychology, chemistry, mechanical engineering, computer science, and electrical engineering.

Although a registered engineer in Virginia, his proudest accomplishment to date is growing with his wife, Roslyn, through tough and happy times as they raise their four young children. He, along with his wife and family, is in continuous pursuit of a self-prescribed mission: Investing their God-given gifts in people and creatively using opportunities to fuel potential in every generation.

Area of Expertise

Traffic Control and Operation

Courses Taught 

• Introduction to Civil Engineering
• Surveying Lab
• Properties of Engineering Materials
• Introduction to Transportation Engineering
• Transportation Planning and Design

Areas of Interests

• Automated and Connected Vehicles
• Work Zone Traffic Control Configurations
• Congestion Decreasing Techniques at Intersections
• Education and Learning Strategies

Current and Past Project Topics in Engineering

• Design and Evaluation of Automated/Connected Vehicles
• Measuring and Modeling the Affects Vehicular Traffic on Nearby Neighborhoods Air Quality
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Speed Monitors Placed on Low-Speed Roads  
• Work Zone Traffic Flow: Design and Analysis of Alternating Merge Maneuvers in Roadway Construction Areas
• Estimating Lane Capacities in Work Zones Using Hurricane Evacuation Data

Related Links

Transportation Engineering Video Lessons https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCja59bSZGROChAHISEte1zQ/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wakeel-idewu-ph-d-p-e-9413a06 

Col. Idewu Resume

Associate Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Jai Kyoung Jung, Ph.D., P.E., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). He earned his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University. His diverse research interests encompass computational and experimental approaches to various aspects of infrastructure, focusing on underground energy and water transportation systems, soil dynamics, earthquake engineering, sustainable construction, and trenchless construction methods.

Dr. Jung has an accomplished background, having contributed significantly to research initiatives. Notably, he engaged in research projects at Virginia Tech as a post-doctoral research fellow and later at the University of Waterloo as a research associate. These experiences were pivotal in establishing a sustainable infrastructure knowledge database for underground systems and advancing trenchless technologies.

Currently, Dr. Jung is further expanding his research scope to encompass multidisciplinary domains. These include the spatial assessment of natural and anthropogenic hazards, exploring human structure-ground interaction, and investigating human performance and rehabilitation.

Before his appointment at VMI in 2018, Dr. Jung shared his expertise as an educator at Youngstown State University.

Jung Resume

 

Colonel Dean A. Kershaw, a retired U.S. Army veteran, boasts a remarkable academic journey, culminating in a Diploma in National Security Studies from the National War College in 1992, a Master's in Engineering

Management from George Washington University in the same year, and a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from the Virginia Military Institute in 1968.

With a diverse career, Dean currently holds the prestigious Wachtmeister Chair at Virginia Military Institute, where he also serves as an Adjunct Professor. Beyond academia, his professional journey spans across leadership roles in various organizations, including Chief of Staff at GlobalVox LLC, Founder & CEO of Kershaw Global LLC, and President & COO of New Commercial Energy, Inc.

Dean's dedication extends to professional organizations, as he is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Project Management Institute, and holds life memberships in the Society of American Military Engineers, the Association of the U.S. Army, and the Engineer Regimental Association.

His illustrious military career is marked by numerous awards, including three Legion of Merit awards, a Bronze Star Medal, and more. Dean is not only an accomplished professional but also an active contributor to his community, serving in roles such as President of the Chinquapin Homeowners Association and Director & Treasurer of the Waynesboro Heritage Foundation. His commitment to service is evident through his extensive involvement in various organizations and leadership positions.

Col. Kershaw Resume

Donald M. Martin is a dedicated civil engineer with a Master's in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia (UVA) and a Bachelor's from Virginia Military Institute (VMI). He leverages his extensive academic background as an Adjunct Professor at VMI, contributing his expertise to future engineers.

Donald's non-academic journey includes roles at the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), where he excelled in geotechnical and materials engineering. He also serves as a Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant in the US Army, earning honors for his commitment.

His professional accomplishments include becoming a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia and active membership in various engineering organizations. Donald's commitment extends to community service, exemplified by his involvement with Habitat for Humanity and Timber Framing.

He is also a published author and presenter on topics ranging from carbon offsets to geotechnical case studies. His dedication to professional growth is evident through recent participation in Virginia Tech's Wood Design and Structural Design courses.

Donald M. Martin's multi-faceted career showcases his unwavering commitment to engineering, education, and service.

Donald M. Martin Resume

Rebekah L. Martin, Ph.D., is a dedicated civil engineer with a passion for education and research. She earned her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2020 after completing her BS at Bucknell University in 2013.

Currently an Assistant Professor at VMI, Rebekah's academic journey started as a Research and Teaching Assistant at Virginia Tech, studying the growth of waterborne pathogens in building plumbing systems. She is a certified Engineer in Training and an active member of many professional engineering organizations.

Rebekah's contributions have earned her numerous honors, including the Outstanding PhD Award from the University Council on Water Resources for her dissertation work. Her commitment to service extends beyond academia, with roles as an Assistant Moderator at WaterJAM and a Scholarship Reviewer for the Society of Women Engineers. She is a prolific author and presenter, sharing her insights on engineering and water resources through various publications and conferences. Rebekah continues her professional development through programs like the Academic Leadership for Women in Engineering and the Master Class on Effective Teaching.

Rebekah Martin’s career exemplifies her dedication to advancing the field of civil and environmental engineering while fostering the growth of future engineers through teaching and mentorship.

Rebekah L. Martin Resume

Stephen L. Neas, II, an accomplished Civil Engineer, graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1977. His military journey commenced with completion of the US Army Engineer Officer Basic Course in 1977, followed by the US Army Engineer Officer Advanced Course in 1983.

Stephen's academic career includes roles as an Adjunct at VMI since 2015 and Assistant Professor in AROTC at VMI from 1983 to 1986. Beyond academia, his professional path is rich with diverse experiences, from serving as a US Army Officer in various leadership positions to becoming a Geotechnical Project Manager at Law Engineering and later overseeing offices and teams as a Branch Manager and President at ECS Ltd and ECS Carolinas, LLP.

As a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia, North Carolina, and formerly South Carolina, Stephen is an active member of professional organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Geotechnical Business Association.

Apart from his professional achievements, Stephen is dedicated to service, evident through his role as Chairman of the Board at Glory Ridge Camp, involvement with Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity, and his contributions to various community initiatives. Although he hasn't published in the past five years, his extensive body of work includes property condition assessments, subsurface explorations, and forensic engineering reports that have made a significant impact in his field.

Neas Resume

Charles S. Luck, Jr., ’20 Institute Professor in Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Col. Newhouse came to the Virginia Military Institute in 2008 after teaching three years at Texas Tech University.  Before teaching at TTU, he received his Ph.D. at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2005.  His dissertation work focused on developing a better way to connect large precast bridge girders to improve their long-term durability.  The work lead to a new state standard.

From 1994 to 2002, Col. Newhouse worked for MMM Design Group in Norfolk, VA, as a consulting structural engineer where he designed bridges, buildings, and wharves.  He also performed over 280 NBIS and PONTIS bridge inspections.  He was instrumental in the design of a 3700-foot section of bridge structure for the Pinner’s Point Interchange Project in Portsmouth, VA, and designed an innovative ring-whale structure that allowed the contractor to construct a large intake structure without any interference from struts.

At VMI, Col. Newhouse has served as an assistant officer in charge of barracks and class advisor for the class of 2016. He currently serves as the Dean’s Representative for Permits and Calendars and the Deputy Department Head.  In the CEE department, he served as the ASCE Student Chapter Advisor for eight years.  Col. Newhouse is also an officer in the American Society of Engineering Educator’s Southeast Section and is an ExCEEd graduate.

Col. Newhouse was married in 1994 and obtained his PE license in 1997.  He has two kids, Benjamin and Lydia.

Area of Expertise

Col. Newhouse is a structural engineer specializing in the design of concrete and prestressed concrete.  He has extensive bridge design and inspection experience.  He has used his design and inspection experience at VMI to help cadets make the connection between academic theory and real-life problem-solving.  This focus has lead him to write several papers for ASEE that focus on ways to improve learning in engineering curricula.  He advocates for cadets to take and pass the FE exam.  He has also written a course pack/textbook for CE 301, “A Baker’s Dozen of Structural Topics Every Civil Engineer Should Know.”

Courses Taught at VMI

CE109/110      CE Fundamentals I and II

CE 121L         Survey Lab

CE 203            Statics

CE 206            Solid Mechanics

CE 301            Structural Theory

CE 302            Civil Engineering Dynamics

CE 307            Properties of Engineering Materials

CE 327            Reinforced Concrete Design

CE 402            Structural Mechanics

CE 416            Fundamentals of Engineering

CE 423            Structural Steel Design

CE 428            Topics in Structural Design

CE 429            Advanced Structural Theory

CE 443            Independent Research

Courses Taught at TTU

CE 3341          Principles of Structural Design

CE 4343          Design of Concrete Structures

CE 5329          Advanced Bridge Design

CE 5343          Advanced Reinforced Concrete

Courses Taught at VT

CEE 3424       Reinforced Concrete Design

CEE 3684       Civil Engineering Materials

Newhouse Resume

Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Rogers Resume

Col. Woody Sadler, an accomplished leader and dedicated individual with a rich and diverse background spanning both military and civilian spheres. He earned his BS in Civil Engineering from VMI, followed by an MS in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.

Col. Sadler's military career of 28 years saw him command at various levels and serve as a USMC liaison to the US House of Representatives, contributing to the normalization of relations with China in 1979. He held significant roles in the Joint Chiefs of Staff G-5 Plans and the Secretary of Defense Secretariat. His civilian endeavors included roles as the Executive Director of Lexington Downtown Development, Development Director at the George C. Marshall Foundation, and President of Sadler & Associates, specializing in fundraising.

He also worked as a consultant for GIAT Industries on the Caesar 155mm Weapon System and served as an adjunct faculty member in the Mechanical and Civil Engineering Departments at VMI.

Col. Sadler is a committed volunteer, having served as Rotary District Governor and founded the Rockbridge, Bath & Allegheny Community Foundation. He contributed his leadership to numerous boards, including RE Lee/Grace Episcopal Church, Kendal At Lexington, Historic Lexington Foundation, BSA Stonewall Jackson Council, Virginia Downtown Development Association, and the United Way of Rockbridge. He is an active member of professional organizations such as ASCE and served as the President of the Virginia Downtown Development Association. In his free time, Col. Sadler enjoys travel, fly fishing, and gardening. He has been happily married to Lori for 54 years, following her retirement from the USMC after 26 years of service. Woody Sadler's life has been defined by leadership, service, and a deep commitment to his community and country.

Col. Woody Sadler Resume

Steven D. Sanders, a highly accomplished engineering professional, boasts an impressive academic journey. He earned his Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University in 1999, complemented by multiple master's degrees, including Interdisciplinary Engineering from Purdue University, Facilities Management, Systems Engineering, and Real Estate Development from SMU, and an MBA in Real Estate Development from the University of Texas at Arlington. His educational journey began with a Bachelor's in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1980.

Steven's dedication to education is reflected in his current role as a Lecturer at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) since 2023, coupled with his extensive experience as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington from 2009 to 2020.

Beyond academia, Steven has excelled in various leadership roles, including Vice President/Owner at Burgess & Niple, Executive Vice President/Owner at GSWW, and Office Manager at Metcalf & Eddy, where he managed Dallas operations. His career journey started as an Environmental Engineer at the US EPA Region 6, and he later served as a base environmental engineer at Carswell AFB.

A licensed Professional Engineer in Texas since 1985, Steven is an active member of several professional organizations, such as the American Society of Engineering Management, American Society of Civil Engineers, Engineers Without Borders (EWB-USA), and many more.

While his professional achievements speak volumes, Steven's commitment to service is commendable, demonstrated by his involvement in various organizations. Although he hasn't received specific honors or awards, his extensive contributions to the field and community are his true testament.

Maj. Sanders Resume

 

Aksel Seitllari, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Virginia Military Institute. He earned his Doctorate in Pavement Engineering from Michigan State University and holds a Master of Business Administration from the State University of New York at Oswego. Dr. Seitllari blends academic experience from various higher education institutions with practical industry knowledge. As a licensed engineer, he brings a deep level of expertise to both academic and professional fields.

Dr. Seitllari specializes in pavement engineering and civil infrastructure, with research focused on integrating green technology into these fields. His work emphasizes sustainable materials and carbon sequestration in roadway engineering, exploring innovative approaches to enhance the environmental performance of pavement systems and other infrastructure components. His contributions are highlighted in his publications across both academic and industry platforms.

As an Assistant Professor, Dr. Seitllari teaches a variety of courses in civil infrastructure and roadway technology, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications. He is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of engineers, with a strong focus on sustainability and the advancement of sustainable infrastructure through his research and educational efforts.

Google Scholar | LinkedIn

A. Seitllari Resume

Areas of Expertise:

• Civil infrastructure characterization and advanced materials design
• Constitutive modeling and application of computational intelligence
• Experimental and numerical investigation
• Statistical analysis and data processing

Courses Taught:

• Pavement Design and Analysis
• Civil Engineering Materials
• Soil Mechanics
• Highways and Transportation Engineering
• Engineering Mechanics – Statics
• Engineering Mechanics – Dynamics
• Strength of Materials

Associate Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Matthew (Matt) Swenty holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in Civil Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (MO S&T). He gained experience as a bridge engineer at the Missouri Department of Transportation Bridge Office in Jefferson City, Missouri, designing, inspecting, and rating state inventory bridges. After obtaining his professional engineer's license (PE), he pursued a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech, focusing on structural engineering, and served as a Via Fellow, teaching structural engineering courses.  He then worked at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center on precast concrete bridge and ultra high performance concrete research.

Returning to academics, Matt joined the Civil Engineering Department at VMI.  He teaches structural engineering, introduction to engineering,  and engineering mechanics courses. He enjoys mentoring students on bridge related research projects, collaborating with engineering groups like ASEE, PCI, and ACI, and helping lead the VMI ASCE student chapter. Additionally, he has served on numerous national committees with ASCE and ASEE.  He is also actively engaged in civil engineering policy, curriculum development, and bridge related research projects.

Area of Expertise

• Structural Engineering
• Reinforced Concrete, Prestressed Concrete, and Bridge Design
• Precast Concrete Bridges
• Civil Engineering Materials

Courses Taught  

• CE 109/110 - Civil Engineering Fundamentals I & II
• CE 206 - Solid Mechanics
• CE 302 - Engineering Dynamics
• CE 301 - Structural Theory
• CE 327 - Reinforced Concrete Design
• CE 402 - Advanced Mechanics
• CE 423 - Steel Design
• CE 428 - Topics in Structural Design (Prestressed Concrete & Introduction to Bridge Design)

Areas of Interests

Matt’s research interests include the investigation of innovative connections in precast concrete structures, the use of ultra-high performance concrete, and the analysis of the long-term performance of bridge structures.  Additionally, he enjoys working with engineering policies on licensure, civil engineering curriculum design, and innovative techniques used for teaching in higher education. 

Current and Past Project Topics in Engineering 

• “Characterization of Materials Used in Field-Cast Connections”
• “Effects of early age differential displacements on concrete–bar bond in the connections of staged constructions.”
• “The Use of UHPC as a Laminate for Tensile Reinforcement on Precast Concrete Beams”
• “Professional Licensure: The Core of the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge”
• “Methods of Correlating Precast Concrete Surface Roughness to Tensile Bond Strength in Connections”
• “Horizontal Integration of the Same Design Project in Multiple Structural Engineering Courses”
• “Engineers Guide to Pre-licensure Experience”

Swenty Resume

Professor

Col. Timmes is a VMI graduate (Class of 1992) and a professional engineer who served for over 25 years in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps.  As an Army Environmental Engineer, he conducted extensive drinking water and wastewater system characterizations and public health threat assessments throughout the U.S. and overseas in Macedonia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Italy, Germany, and Norway.  He commanded the Headquarters Company of the U.S. Army Chemical Activity-Pacific on Johnston Atoll during its closure as a chemical agent demilitarization site and served as a Jumpmaster with the 82d Airborne Division.  He taught a variety of academic subjects on the faculty at the US Military Academy (West Point) for six years.  Col. Timmes commanded the U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research in Fort Detrick, Maryland, and served as the Director for Environmental Health Sciences and Engineering at the Army Public Health Center before retiring from Active Duty to join the VMI Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.

Area of Expertise

Col. Timmes has a Masters Degree and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, specializing in lead and copper corrosion control and coagulation pretreatment options prior to membrane filtration.  His academic and research interests include water quality, electrocoagulation, military field drinking water, water treatment plant optimization, and water system vulnerability assessments.

Courses Taught  

CE306L – Civil Engineering Labs II
CE319W - Water Resources Laboratory
CE321W - Intro to Environmental Engineering
CE409 - Hazardous Waste Treatment and Site Remediation
CE415 - Environmental Engineering Unit Processes Design
CE416 - Fundamentals of Engineering
CE443 - Independent Research
CE448 – Civil Engineering Design
CE451W – Civil Engineering Seminar
HN100 - Honors Forum
HNS375W - Environmental Honors Seminar
HN400 - Honors Thesis

Areas of Interests

Col. Timmes serves as the VMI Springboard Diving Coach, faculty representative with the VMI String Ensemble, and as a Superintendent Representative to the Honor Court.

Education

• Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, Penn State, University Park, PA, 2009
• M.S.E., Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 2000
• B.S., Civil Engineering, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA, 1992

Academic Experience

• Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Professor, 2020- Present, full time
• Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Associate Professor, 2017-2020, full time
• US Military Academy (West Point), Assistant/Associate Professor, 2009 – 2012, full time
• US Military Academy (West Point), Instructor/Assistant Professor, 2003 – 2006, full time
• Uniformed Services University, Adjunct Assistant Professor, 2008-Present, part time
• Pennsylvania State University, Adjunct Assistant Professor, 2009-2012, part time

Non-Academic Experience

• Director, Environmental Health Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Army Public Health Center, APG, MD, 2016-2017. Managed 150 scientists, engineers, and support staff with a $20M annual budget to consult/provide solutions to worldwide issues involving water, wastewater, hazardous waste, air pollution, entomology, and noise pollution. Full time.
• Commander, U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research, Ft. Detrick, MD, 2013-2016. Supervised over 50 scientific and support staff and an annual research budget over $18M. Planned, directed, and advanced medical research and product development for biomarker diagnostics, environmental health surveillance, and environmental health technologies in support of Force Health Protection. Full time.
• Environmental Science and Engineering Officer in the U.S Army Medical Service Corps, 1992-2017. Full time.

Certifications or Professional Registrations

• Accreditation Board of Engineering Technologies (ABET) Program Evaluator (EAC), 2007
• Board Certified Environmental Engineer, AAEES, 2005
• Professional Engineer, Maryland, No. 25421, 2000
• Professional Engineer, Virginia, No. 059419, 2018

Current Membership in Professional Organizations

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Member
• Society of American Military Engineers, Past Post-President
• The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Member
• Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Member
• Omicron Delta Kappa, Member
• American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, Member
• Association of Environmental Engineering & Science Professors, Member
• American Society for Engineering Education, Member

Honors and Awards

• Southern Conference All Conference Faculty Award, 2022-23
• Society of American Military Engineers Regional VP Award of Excellence, 2015
• Science and Technology Manager Level III Acquisition Certification, 2013
• Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 2011
• The Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Scholastic Achievement Award, 2010
• The Linn H. Enslow Memorial Award, NY Water Environment Association, 2009
• National Society of Professional Engineers “Spotlight Member”, 2009
• 1st Place Poster Award, Pennsylvania/Chesapeake Section AWWA Joint Conference, 2007
• Outstanding Young Engineer of the Year, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, 2002

Service Activities

• VMI Superintendent Representative to the Honor Court, 2018-Present
• VMI Faculty Advisory Committee Development Council, 2022- Present
• VMI Grievance Panel, 2021-Present
• VMI Institute Honors Committee, 2017-Present
• Panelist, National Science Foundation Environmental Technologies, 2023
• USMA Medical Service Corps Board President, 2011
• USMA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Committee, 2011
• USMA Dean Level Faculty Committee, 2010, 2011
• USMA Executive and Dean Level ABET Committee, 2010, 2011
• ABET Program Evaluator, 2009- Present
• Manuscript Technical Reviewer, Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 2022.
• Manuscript Technical Reviewer, Separation and Purification Technology, 2022.
• Manuscript Technical Reviewer, Environmental Science: Water Research & Tech., 2020.
• Manuscript Technical Reviewer, Ecological Engineering, 2019.
• Panelist, National Science Foundation, 1440 Environmental Engineering review, 2018, 2019.
• Panelist, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, 2014-2016, 2019.
• Manuscript Reviewer, Environmental Engineering Science, 2019.
• Manuscript Technical Reviewer, The Chemical Engineering Journal, 2011-2013, 2019
• Manuscript Technical Reviewer, ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2009-2013.
• Chair, Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation Scholarship Panel, 2012
• Panelist, National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship Review, 2008-2011

Publications and Presentations from the Past Five Years

• “Engineering Application Outreach Projects in a College Town in the United States of America”, 11^th International Perspective on Water Resources and the Environment (IPWE),  January 2023, Dhaka, Bangladesh. T. Afrin, R. Martin, T. Timmes, M. Swenty.
• “Highlighting cultures, civilizations, and diversity in historical civil engineering achievements”, Proceedings of the ASEE Southeastern Section Annual Conference, March 2022, Afrin, T. Timmes, R. Wilkins, R. Martin, M. Swenty.
• “A novel approach for integrating the new ABET Student Outcomes (SOs) and early impacts on SOs during the COVID-19 Pandemic”, Proceedings of the ASEE Southeastern Section Annual Conference, March 2021, J. Jung, T. Afrin, T. Timmes.
• “Algal softening followed by ozonation: the fate of persistent micropollutants and natural organic matter in groundwater”, The Journal of Hazardous Waste, doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123480, January 2021, H.C. Kim., T.C. Timmes, H. Ryu, H.S. Yang, H. Yoon, and S. Kim.
• “Curricular predictors for success on the Civil - Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam”, Proceedings of the ASEE Southeastern Section Annual Conference, March 2020,
  Timmes, T. Afrin, C. Newhouse. A. Ramniceanu, and M. Swenty.
• “Predicting and preventing perception problems in freshmen engineers”, Proceedings of the ASEE Southeastern Section Annual Conference, November 2018, P. Ackerman, T. Afrin, J. Jung, M. Swenty, T. Timmes, C. Newhouse.
• “Treatment of reverse osmosis concentrate using an algal-based MBR combined with ozone pretreatment”, Water Research, DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.05.003, August  2019,
  Woo, H. S. Yang, T.C. Timmes, C. Han, J. Y. Nam, S. Byun, S. Kim, H. Ryu, H. C. Kim.
• “The growth of Scenedesmus quadricauda in RO concentrate and the impacts on refractory organic matter, Escherichia coli, and trace organic compounds”, Water Research, DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.01.029, February 2018, S.K. Maeng, S.H. You, J.Y Nam, H. Ryu, T.C. Timmes, H.C. Kim.

Most Recent Professional Development Activities

• Speaker- ASEE Southeastern Section Annual Conference, Charleston, SC, 2022.
• Speaker- ASEE Southeastern Section Annual Conference, Auburn, AL, 2020.
• Speaker- American Chemical Society Annual Convention, Boston, MA, 2018.
• Abstract Reviewer and Moderator- Environment Virginia Symposium, 2018-Present.
• Post President, Ft. Detrick Chapter, Society of American Military Engineers, 2013-2015
• Speaker- GEMS Program, Hood College, Frederick, MD, 2015
• Speaker, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Assoc., Frederick, MD, 2014
• Speaker- New York Water Environment Association Spring Tech. Conf., NY, 2009
• Speaker- Military Applications for Emerging Water Technologies Workshop, IL, 2008
• Speaker- Borchardt Seminar on Advancements in Water and Wastewater, MI, 2008

Related Links and Media

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Col. Timmes Resume

Rodney F. Wilkins III, Ph.D., is an esteemed academic and engineering expert. His impressive academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia, an M.E. in Civil Engineering from the same institution, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from VPI&SU.

Currently, as an Instructor at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) since 2020, Rodney imparts his knowledge and expertise to aspiring engineers. His academic experience extends to roles as an Assistant Professor and Laboratory Manager at Eastern Mennonite University and previous instructional roles at the University of Virginia and James Madison University.

Beyond academia, Rodney's career has been a journey of remarkable achievements, including serving as Research Manager at Energizer Holding Corporation and fulfilling various managerial roles at ASR Company. His career began as a Power Maintenance Engineer at Westvaco Corp and General Motors (SSG Division).

With certifications including a Professional Engineer in Virginia, Rodney is actively involved in professional organizations. His dedication to service is evident through his involvement in various community initiatives and educational outreach programs.

Rodney's contributions to research and engineering are significant, with a range of publications and presentations over the past five years, including studies on energy infrastructure planning, environmental life cycle analysis, and more.

His commitment to professional development continues with ongoing consultancy work and contributions to collaborative book projects, making him a valuable asset to the engineering community.

Areas of Expertise

• Multiphase flow in porous media
• High pressure and vacuum applications in Fluid Mechanics
• Pump and piping systems

Courses Taught

• CE 203 Statics
• CE 322 Water Resources
• CE 350 Project Management
• CE 417X Infrastructure
• CE 121L Surveying
• CE 305L Materials
• CE 306L Geotech
• CE 448 Capstone

Areas of Interest

• Sustainable energy systems and Infrastructure
• Surface Engineering (Physicochemical processes)
• Breaking down complex subjects in learning: How things work

Maj. Wilkins Resume