Wesley C.
Sanders
Assistant
Professor
Engineering
School of: Science, Math and Engineering
What he teaches:
Introduction to
Nanotechnology (ENGR 1050)
Introduction to
Scanning Probe Microscopy (MSE 2320)
Fundamentals of
Microscopy (MSE 1820)
Introduction to
Materials Science Engineering/Elements of Materials Science (MSE 2010/MSE 2160)
General Chemistry
I (CHEM 1210)
Number of years teaching at SLCC:
Eight years
Undergraduate:
Western Carolina
University
Master’s:
University of
North Carolina at Charlotte
Doctorate:
Virginia Tech
Why working at SLCC matters:
Working at SLCC
provides me with an opportunity to give back.
I started my professional career in 1999 as a high school science
teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to earn two graduate degrees and to
work in a national laboratory as a postdoctoral researcher (Naval Research
Laboratory – Washington, DC). I want to
use what I’ve learned in my professional and academic pursuits over the past 20
years to do my part in the preparation of the next generation of scientists,
engineers and medical professionals starting their pursuits at SLCC.
Greatest professional challenge:
A fun challenge
I’ve been involved with while serving as a faculty member is the development of
laboratory exercises and demonstrations for use in SLCC’s introductory
nanotechnology and microscopy courses. Nanotechnology is a scientific discipline
that plays a significant role in several of our day-to-day activities, but only
a few people are aware of the impact. Academic institutions across the country
are recognizing the impact and developing courses and programs in
response. Since the integration of
nanotechnology in two-year colleges is relatively new, there are few resources
available that provide students with hands-on experiences that emphasize the
importance of this field.
Greatest professional accomplishment:
As a faculty
member, I’ve had the good fortune of working with several talented students to
develop hands-on laboratory activities that are now routinely used in our
nanotechnology coursework. Many of the
activities have been published in the Journal of Chemical Education and have
been presented at several national meetings of the American Chemical
Society. In each case, all participating
students were listed as authors.
Advice for students or others:
Work hard and do
not be afraid of challenges that arise in your academic and professional pursuits.
Setting the bar high comes with obstacles. Don’t let the obstacles stop you from
your goals and dreams. If you get
knocked down, dust yourself off and keep it moving – it will be worth it in the
end.
Future plans:
Working with
students to revise existing nanotechnology-based labs and to develop new
laboratory investigations. I also plan to work more closely with other colleges
and industries to ensure that SLCC’s nanotechnology program is up-to-date and
is adequately preparing students for the nanotechnology workforce.
Family:
I have a five-year-old
daughter, Wesli Azae Sanders. She likes
to draw, paint, go to tumbling class and play with her dogs.
Hobbies:
