07/15/2026
๐๐ฟ. ๐ข๐ฟ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ ๐ก๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐จ๐ป๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ผ๐
Orlando Ayala, Ph.D., director of Undergraduate Research and the Ray Ferrari Endowed Professor in the ODU - Engineering Technology Department at Old Dominion University, has been named a 2026 Engineering Unleashed Fellow by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN).
Dr. Ayala is one of just 30 engineering faculty members nationwide selected for the honor this year, representing 23 institutions across the United States.
The fellowship recognizes educators who demonstrate outstanding innovation in engineering education and seek to foster an entrepreneurial mindset in undergraduate engineering students.
To be considered, participants must complete a yearlong project through the Engineering Unleashed Faculty Development program. They are then nominated by peer coaches and reviewed by a committee of past Fellows. Fewer than 10% of program participants are ultimately selected for the fellowship.
Dr. Ayalaโs project focuses on bringing faculty together to enhance student learning through undergraduate research. The initiative will develop teaching materials, mentoring programs, and other resources designed to help students ask critical questions, connect ideas across disciplines, and solve real-world problems.
"Some of the most meaningful learning happens when students tackle authentic problems that don't have textbook answers,โ Dr. Ayala said. โThrough the Vertically Integrated Program for Undergraduate Research (VIPUR), we're helping advance Old Dominion University's goal of ensuring every student participates in a work-based learning experience before graduation by creating opportunities for students to grow as researchers while developing the curiosity, collaborative mindset, and problem-solving skills that define outstanding engineers.โ
During the year, Fellows will share ideas and learn about one another's projects through in-person and virtual events. Each Fellow will also receive a $10,000 grant to advance their project.
Engineering Unleashed is a community of more than 6,000 faculty members at 400-plus institutions, powered by KEEN, a 70-partner collaborative focused on graduating engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset.
https://engineeringunleashed.com
