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Herff College of Engineering

 

More Herff Headlines 

From breakthrough research to student organization fundraisers and events on campus, there's always a story to tell at the Herff College of Engineering. Catch up on more newsworthy achievements from our students, staff and faculty. 

 

Dr. Evan Main

 

Dr. Evan Main, a researcher at the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ' Herff College of Engineering, received the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ Retirees (UMAR) Dorothy Atra University-Wide Dissertation Award. 

Jean Yves Thiemele-Marco

As the new academic year settles in, students' calendars are quickly filling up with different colors boxing out times of their day for class, research and study. Jean Yves Thiemele-Marco, a 21-year-old junior in the Herff College of Engineering Department of Biomedical Engineering, accomplishes all of those tasks while also devoting much of his time to the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ Track and Field team.

Dr. Sabya Mishra

Dr. Sabya Mishra, Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Center for Transportation Innovations in Education and Research (C-TIER) at the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ, has received a $124,929 research award from the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) for the project, “Transit Asset Management Plan for MATA.â€�

Safe Driving Campaign

The Center for Transportation Innovations, Education and Research (C-TIER) and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office co-hosted the third annual "Drive Safe" campaign at the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ on September 2. 

CAESER

As West Tennessee experiences significant new industrial development, University of Memphis researchers are working to ensure that one of the region’s most important natural resources—the groundwater beneath it—is understood and protected for generations to come.

ITE

The Herff College of Engineering Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Student Chapter received the Robert Stammer Student Chapter Award for the third consecutive year. 

Dr. Sungyong Jung

Dr. Sungyong Jung began his appointment as department chair on August 3. Jung left South Dakota State University to join the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ, a decision he said the University of Memphis’ national reputation made easy.

Graduate Student Group Picture

Graduate students returned to the Herff College of Engineering on Thursday, August 20, for a Welcome Back Kickoff event. 

Madison Cole

Herff College of Engineering senior Madison Cole received a $2,500 scholarship from Smith + Nephew, money she says will help her complete her goals as she enters her final undergraduate academic year in Herff's Department of Mechanical Engineering. 

 

Tarik

While some students spent their summer break at the beach, Herff College of Engineering senior spent his time away from the classroom as an intern at AutoZone Store Support Headquarters in Downtown Memphis.

Francis Smith-Brown

Francis Smith-Brown, course developer at the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ Center for Information Assurance (CFIA) and creator of Sugar Bubblesâ„¢, was named a Community Choice winner and Bronze recipient in the 2026 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards.

Herff Urban Fellows Studnets

The Urban Fellows Program provides students with a 10-week internship and offers students a chance to get directly involved in the city government’s work of improving the lives of citizens. Students from the Herff College of Engineering made up nine of the 23 participants who were placed in the city’s division of engineering.

 

Sungyong Jung

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Dr. Sungyong Jung has been named chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Herff College of Engineering at the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ. He will begin his appointment Aug. 3.

Kenzie Slakans

Incoming Herff College of Engineering senior Kenzie Slakans already has more industry experience than most engineering students do by the time they graduate, thanks to her ongoing internships with Barnhart Crane & Rigging, a company that assists with the moving and installation of heavy equipment of all sizes.

Cristian Fernandez

Cristian Fernandez graduated from high school in 2019 and went straight to work in the construction industry, but he always knew that he’d need to continue his education to earn the role he sought, a position in management.

Turner Check

Turner Construction of the Mid-South donated $75,000 to the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ Foundation on Thursday, July 30. 

Dr. Fatemi

When the 14th International Fatigue Congress (IFC14) kicked off on June 28 in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, one of the first voices attendees heard was from the University of Memphis (UofM).

Construction Management

The construction management certificate at the Herff College of Engineering enables students worldwide to gain skills that can take their construction careers to the next level in as little as two semesters.

Dr. Bowlin in lab

If you find yourself in an engineering lab feeling inadequate or even stupid, there's good news. Dr. Gary Bowlin, chair of Herff's Department of Biomedical Engineering, says you're exactly where you need to be to succeed.  

AI

If the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ is Tennessee’s AI University, as ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ Provost Dr. David J. Russomanno told conference attendees from around the country at the American Society of Engineering Education Southeastern conference held at the ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ in March 2026, then the Polytechnic@UofM is its data center.

Cyber Security Camp

Twenty high school students from different schools across the Greater Memphis Area spent three days at the Herff College of Engineering learning about cybersecurity through the Center for Information Assurance (CFIA)’s 2026 Cyber Ambassadors Tech Camp.

Herff Next Selections

At the Herff College of Engineering, leadership is not confined to titles—it is cultivated through experience, connection, and a shared commitment to community impact. That spirit is reflected in the recent selection of Kirbi Robinson, Assistant Dean of Graduate Engineering Studies, and alumnus David Oppong (’18, ’20) to the prestigious Leadership Tennessee NEXT program, a recognition that highlights both individual achievement and the enduring strength of the Herff network.

Fireworks

Fireworks will light up the sky this Fourth of July and the city will be aglow with the products of mechanical engineering.

Bridges to Engineering

Nearly 100 students from 50 schools in the Memphis area got their first taste of engineering through the West Tennessee STEM Hub's Bridges to Engineering summer program.