The new EMS Senior Design & Capstone Studios in EMS 371 have been renovated and will open for use later this month. These spaces are entirely funded by private philanthropy and offer a permanent collaborative workspace for student/industry capstone projects.
Donors whose gifts have supported the new space include:
- Alan D. Kulwicki Legacy Fund
- Paul McNally Fund, and
- Donors to the CEAS General Fund
The capstone projects are critical to prepare students for the workforce, said Mohamed Yahiaoui, teaching faculty, mechanical engineering. Previously, seniors working on their capstone projects had to share room with all engineering students in the Makerspace and its adjacent study area.
That space crunch prompted Yahiaoui to propose a dedicated studio, reserved exclusively for senior design students, with 24/7 access.
“The new senior design studio will bring together students from all engineering disciplines in one permanent space,” he said. “It fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration that mirrors industry, a crucial soft skill students would not otherwise have the opportunity to develop.”
Donors were enthusiastic about the idea.
“This is a worthy project that the Alan Kulwicki Legacy fund is honored to be a part of,” said Jan Beatty-Hendley, chair of the fund’s advisory committee.
If you haven’t already signed up to use the studios, contact lab manager Avie Judes at judes@uwm.edu.