RCEAS names new director for energy institute

The P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science (RCEAS) has announced a new director of the Energy Systems Engineering Institute (ESEI).

Martha Dodge, formerly a senior administrator with PPL Electric Utilities, will coordinate research projects between the energy industry and ESEI, recruit students to the ESEI’s master’s of engineering in energy systems engineering program, solicit industry and government support, and organize seminars by industry leaders.

Dodge, who earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Lehigh in 1982, will also serve as professor of practice in the department of electrical and computer engineering.

Her appointment was announced by S. David Wu, dean of the engineering college.

As ESEI director, Dodge will also teach core courses for the energy systems engineering program and supervise student projects that tackle real-world problems in energy and environment.

The ESEI focuses on research, education and service. It connects faculty, students and representatives of the energy and power industries and offers a professional master’s of engineering (M.Eng.) program that prepares graduates to meet the challenges of the changing field.

Meeting the needs of industry

Dodge retired last year from PPL Electric Utilities, where she led the electric planning and engineering department and was senior director within the Smart Grid initiative. She earned an MBA from Lehigh in 1988 and is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania with 28 years of energy industry experience.

“The next steps in development for this program are twofold: to broaden the involvement of industry partners and to continue to develop relevant electives that appeal to student and industry needs and that utilize the strengths of Lehigh’s talented faculty,” Dodge says.

“The core program will incorporate interpersonal and leadership development and career planning.”

As the energy industry changes to meet growing need and increasing concern about environmental impacts, the ESEI is creating a new generation of professional leaders in energy systems engineering.

Of the 22 students who earned M.Eng. degrees in the program’s first year in 2010, all received job offers within three months of graduating.