USD Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

Today, we celebrate . As a community of Changemakers, we recognize that true innovation cannot exist without diverse perspectives. Juneteenth is a day for both celebration and reflection. We honor the resilience, culture and profound contributions of Black engineers, scientists and innovators who have shaped our world, while reaffirming our commitment to building an environment where everyone can thrive.

The BEC hallways might be quiet right now, but they are far from empty! Summer is when the magic happens behind the scenes and Dr. Harley and Dr. Shastri are holding down the fort! Drop a ✋️ in the comments to show our faculty and assistant dean some summer love!

"Scientists study the world as is it; engineers create the world that has never been."

— Theodore von Kármán

Goodbye asphalt, hello future! Phase 1 of the Shiley STEM facility is officially underway. We’ve cleared out much (but not all) of the parking lot to make room for USD's state-of-the-art hub of discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration and creation. It might look like just dirt right now, but this is exactly where the future of STEM is going to take root.

Drop a 🙌 if you're excited to see this space transform!

"For me, my career has been about an act of love. I have loved every minute in the classroom."

Please join us in celebrating a true USD legend! 💙 On June 1, 2026, Professor of Electrical Engineering Michael Morse was officially granted the prestigious title of Professor Emeritus at USD's Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering.

As only the fourth engineering faculty member ever hired at the University of San Diego, Dr. Morse spent 35 years helping build our engineering program from its modest roots into the thriving, nationally-ranked program it is today.

But his truest legacy isn't just in the buildings or the rankings, it’s in the thousands of students he genuinely adored. Over three decades, Dr. Morse looked at his classroom not just as a lecture hall, but as a community — serving proudly as a foundational figure.

Even in retirement, Dr. Morse’s generous spirit continues to shine. True to his dedication to our community, he has promised that if he returns to campus to teach specialized courses, he will donate every penny earned right back to the engineering program to benefit future Toreros. 🎓✨

Right now, Dr. Morse and his partner, Debra, are navigating the wild waters of the Pacific Northwest on an incredible boat journey to Alaska (while he casually manages his thriving forensic engineering practice from the water!).

Dr. Morse, thank you for the early sacrifices, the decades of dedication and the profound love you poured into USD. This Emeritus honor is the "cherry on top" of a magnificent career. We are endlessly grateful for you! 🙌

🔗 Read the full story of his incredible 35-year journey and his next great adventure: https://www.sandiego.edu/newscenter/142602

Join us in celebrating Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, Nadieh Moghadam, PhD, for receiving a highly competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) ERI grant! 🌟

Totaling nearly $200,000, this award supports her groundbreaking project: Data-Centric AI Methods for Enhancing Learning Using Wearable Biosensors. Dr. Moghadam’s research explores how wearable tech (like smartwatches that track heart rate and stress) can reveal how students experience learning in real time. By pairing these biosensors with AI, her goal is to create adaptive, inclusive classrooms that respond to student needs—all while keeping data ethics and privacy at the center.

At the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, we develop Changemaking Engineers who blend technical prowess with social impact. Dr. Moghadam’s work does exactly that, positioning her as a national innovator in human-centered AI.

Drop a 👏 in the comments to congratulate Dr. Moghadam on this incredible milestone!

It's less than one week since commencement and the interior of the Belanich Engineering Center is already seeing dramatic transformation. In addition to all of the work being done on Guadaulpe hall and the Law parking lot, the Dean's Suite (BEC 336) was demolished this week to make room for a brand new classroom slated to open this fall. We are making remarkable progress here on campus!

Congratulations, class of 2026! What an incredible weekend of celebration! To our newest alumni from the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering: the late-night lab sessions to final senior design presentations have shown the world what Torero grit looks like.
As you head into your personal pathways to designing a better world, remember that you carry the spirit of ethical innovation with you. We are so proud of you!

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓

What an incredible weekend of celebration! To our newest alumni from the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering: the sleepless nights in the labs, the endless hours working on your senior design projects and the complex problem-solving have all led to this moment. Your grit and innovation define what it means to be a Torero.

As you head out to design a better world, remember that you carry the spirit of ethical innovation with you. We cannot wait to see the systems you optimize and the technologies you create.

Go Toreros! 💙