The Department of Mechanical Engineering is excited to welcome Dr. Kate Youmans as an Associate Professor (Lecturer). In this role, Dr. Youmans will lead the Capstone Senior Design program, collaborating with faculty, staff, and industry partners to deliver authentic, project-based learning experiences that prepare mechanical engineering students for professional success.
Dr. Youmans holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, an M.Ed. in Science Education from Boston University, and a Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Utah State University. Her doctoral research explored the use of empathic concern as a teaching practice to support success students in engineering.
She brings a broad and multidisciplinary perspective to her work, shaped by experience designing surgical instruments in the medical device industry, developing outreach initiatives at MIT, and leading STEM Education programs in Design Thinking, Computer Science, and Robotics. Prior to joining the University of Utah, Dr. Youmans taught design-focused engineering courses as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Engineering, Design and Society Department at the Colorado School of Mines, where she also served as a Presidential Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Her teaching philosophy centers on authentic, hands-on learning to build essential professional skills such as collaboration, problem solving, and human-centered design. She frequently integrates design thinking, constructionist learning principles, and makerspaces into her courses to create engaging, student-centered environments.
At the University of Utah, Dr. Youmans will focus on strengthening and professionalizing the Capstone Senior Design program by increasing engagement with industry sponsors, enhancing curriculum to support the development of students’ professional competencies, and enriching learning experiences through the integration of design thinking and maker-centered pedagogies.
“I’m really excited to be working with our Capstone Senior Design team and to connect with students as they develop their professional engineering skills through their final projects,” said Dr. Youmans. “My hope is that, over the two-semester course, students will not only apply the technical skills they’ve developed throughout their studies, but also hone the professional abilities that will help them thrive in industry.”
Outside of work, Dr. Youmans and her family are thrilled to be back in Utah, a place they consider home. They’re looking forward to spending time in the mountains hiking, biking, and skiing—or simply relaxing at home with their two chocolate labs.