MST Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Julie Ford

Katy Weaver
Oct 20, 2021
2 min read

Dr. Ford is a professor & Capstone Design Coordinator in the New Mexico Tech Mechanical Engineering Department. She also teaches a Technical Writing for Teachers course for the Master of Science for Teachers Program. In the course, you will learn the theory and practice of writing for technology and science: lab reports, proposals, abstracts, and scientific articles. Audience awareness, editing, writing, and documenting information will be emphasized. This course paired with other MST courses will help you to learn not only science content, but how to communicate that content in a professional and clear manner.

We asked Julie if she would answer a few questions about her background, research, and why she enjoys teaching for MST.

What is your educational background?

Ph.D.in Rhetoric and Professional Communication -2001 - New Mexico State University

Dissertation: Knowledge Transfer Across Disciplines: Tracking Rhetorical Strategies from a Technical Communication Classroom to an Engineering Classroom Directed by Stephen A. Bernhardt

M.A.in English

Emphasis: Technical Writing/Rhetoric and Composition - 1998 - University of North Carolina at Charlotte

B.A.in English - 1995- Elon University

What are your career achievements and research highlights?

Professor and Capstone Design Coordinator (2013-Present)

New Mexico Tech Mechanical Engineering Department

Associate Professor (2007-2013)

New Mexico Tech Communication, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences Department

Assistant Professor (2003-2007)

New Mexico Tech Communication, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences Department

Technical Communication Program Director (2004-2012)

New Mexico Tech Communication, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences Department

What are some of your research interests?

Knowledge transfer, engineering communication, and leadership

(20+ years teaching experience).

Why do you love teaching for the MST program?

I love being able to connect with STEM teachers and teaching them communication strategies they can use to both help fulfill their near-term goal of successfully completing the MST program as well as help fulfill their longer-term goals of enhancing classroom teaching and meeting professional development goals.