Skip to main content

Meet Our Faculty: Aimee Birdsall

Aimee Birdsall

Assistant Professor

School of Science, Math, and Engineering

Engineering Department

 

What she teaches:

Introductory Mathematics for Engineering Applications, Statics, Matlab for Engineers, Numerical Methods, Material Science for Engineers, Probability and Statistics for Engineers, and Economic Analysis for Engineers

 

Number of years teaching at SLCC:

Six years as adjunct faculty, two years full-time

 

Undergraduate:

Brigham Young University

 

Master’s:

Brigham Young University


Why working at SLCC matters:

I love teaching in an engineering department where the class sizes are small enough that the professors know their students’ names. To me, this defines what SLCC is all about- we can help each, individual student at the foundation of their academic career work toward successfully transferring to a four-year engineering school. Because teaching is emphasized over research at SLCC, we are able to have more interaction with students.

 

Greatest professional challenge:

I have really appreciated having so many service opportunities available to me through the college. I have enjoyed sitting in on committees, being an adviser to the campus club Bruin Robotics, participating in college outreach opportunities and working on course development. One professional challenge I have encountered has been finding the balance among all of these different activities with my time. I want to be a part of all of them but having to pick and choose can be difficult!



Greatest professional accomplishment:

I spent the first 11 years of my career as a structural engineer, so during that time my favorite accomplishments were being part of design teams for large projects like the landmark Gerald Desmond Bridge in Long Beach, California. Locally, I was able to design a bridge on I-15. It’s fun driving over that bridge and remembering all that the design process entailed. As far as my teaching career has gone, one of my greatest professional accomplishments was completing the ACUE (Association of College and University Educators) course offered through the college. Because I don’t have a pedagogical background, I really liked learning how students internalize and learn information, as well as what I can do on my end to help accommodate their various learning styles.

 

Advice for students or others:

You can do hard things! There will be challenges, there might even be failure, but don’t let that stop you from working toward your goals- these moments are to be learned from. At some point, everyone encounters something that is really hard for them to understand in their college career- even faculty and staff have run into this! Rather than letting it defeat you, try to confront it, and work on it rather than just letting it pass by. Teachers and staff want to see you succeed, so take advantage of all of the wonderful resources at SLCC to help you in your academic journey. Go to your teachers’ office hours, the STEM Learning Resource Center, library, Writing Center, etc. These resources are all in place to help you progress through school. Most of these resources are now available online to help while students are distance learning.

 

Future plans:

I am grateful to have professional, concrete goals to work on during the pandemic when other facets of life are not as set in stone. As for professional goals, I am excited to work toward tenure for the next four years. As part of this set of goals, I plan to take the PE (Professional Engineering Exam) this fall, which will make me a licensed professional engineer. In addition to my professional development, I look forward to helping recruit more students to SLCC’s Engineering Department and helping our current students make it through our program. I also plan to continue working on my own teaching methods to help ensure students get the best possible education that I can facilitate.


Family:

I am married (to another structural engineer!) and we have four children. My children range in age from 7-13, so keeping up with their extracurricular activities can be quite the feat!

 

Hobbies:

I love reading, running, cycling, traveling and camping. Since traveling has been somewhat stifled this year due to the pandemic, my family and I have spent a lot of time this summer camping and exploring Utah’s state and national parks. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such beauty! We look forward to squeezing in one more camping trip between summer and fall semesters.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o...

SLCC Alumnus and U.S. Diplomat to Speak at 2025 Commencement

Salt Lake Community College’s 2025 Commencement speaker Branigan Knowlton will share his perspectives drawn from a 12-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. In serving his country, Knowlton has honed his foreign relations and diplomacy skills in Hong Kong, Mexico, Colombia and Italy. Knowlton is also a proud Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) alumnus (2002).     Knowlton currently serves at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. Before reporting to the embassy, he was detailed to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as part of the Transatlantic Diplomatic Fellowship program. In Bogotá, Knowlton worked for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, and in Hermosillo, Mexico, he worked for the Bureau of Consular Affairs. His first assignment abroad was in Hong Kong, where he worked for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.     "I've actively sought opportunities that push me into the unfamiliar, even when ...

Recognizing SLCC's 2025 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Andrew Vogt, PhD Associate Professor, Engineering

The Distinguished Faculty Lecturer is a recognition of quality work by one of Salt Lake Community College’s full-time faculty and a charge to develop that work over an academic year into a public presentation. A committee chosen by the Associate Provost for Learning Advancement selects the faculty lecturer each year. The lecture takes place in the spring. Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Andrew Vogt, PhD Associate Professor, Engineering Dr. Andrew Vogt’s teaching philosophy is guided by two principles, curiosity and efficiency.  “Curiosity leads us to study a topic and allows us to really understand the ins and outs of research, while efficiency is all about sustainability,” he says. Andrew describes curiosity as a pure, open-minded impulse to explore, such as the ease with which children learn new concepts with virtually no instruction. Efficiency adds maturity to that childlike impulse, creating structures and pathways for accomplishment.  Andrew’s work has alwa...