Greg Strimel, assistant professor of engineering/technology teacher education, was recognized by Purdue Student Life as Advisor of the Year for his work with TEECA (Technology Engineering Education Collegiate Association). The award celebrates an advisor who “serves as a role model to students, has a strong belief in the organization that he/she advises, commits time to the organization and involves students in the decision-making process.”
Strimel was nominated for the award by members of Purdue’s TEECA executive team. Purdue TEECA creates leaders in the field of technology engineering education through professional development activities and by participating in competitive technology and engineering education challenges. Purdue’s TEECA team has competed in these events against other colleges and universities throughout the U.S., winning several along the way.
“Over the past four years, Purdue TEECA has won 28 national awards, including the national champion title at the International Technology Engineering Education Association Conference last spring,” said Daphne Fauber, a rising junior majoring in engineering/technology teacher education. Fauber is both the president of the Purdue TEECA chapter and national TEECA president. “This fall, at our regional competition, we won an award in every category we competed in. Through Prof. Strimel’s guidance, we have continued to learn and grow as individuals and perform better each year.”
Besides leading Purdue TEECA, Strimel is credited with mentoring students in general, as demonstrated in the nomination that his students made on his behalf:
“Prof. Strimel is truly a role model for all advisors on how to foster a positive, challenging and productive learning environment for students as a means of creating the next generation of innovators and leaders in our field. He is always available to talk to when needed. When he is concerned about students academically, socially or emotionally, he makes sure to schedule one-on-one meetings to check in on them. His door is always open, and he is always eager to help students in any way he can.”