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.