Nathan McNeill is the Faculty Director of the Colorado Mesa University, University of Colorado Boulder Engineering Partnership Programs, and also a Senior Instructor of Mechanical Engineering.
Nathan has a PhD in Engineering Education from Purdue University, a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from Walla Walla University. Prior to joining the Engineering Partnership Programs nine years ago, Nathan worked as a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Florida studying how engineering students solve open-ended problems. He enjoys helping students navigate the complexities of the Engineering Partnership Programs and encourages as many as possible to pursue graduate studies. Nathan gives a shout-out to the amazingly talented staff in the College of Engineering and Applied Science who support the Engineering Partnership Programs!
What’s the best way for others to collaborate effectively with you?
I live and work in Grand Junction and am not physically connected to Boulder. The COVID pandemic has opened up many new opportunities for collaboration with people in Boulder. It has been amazing. Zoom, zoom!
What do you most like to do to unwind?
I design, build, and restore audio electronics in my spare time. Over the last year, I built six guitar pedals, a tube-based guitar amplifier, and a tube-based headphone amplifier. I am currently restoring a Hammond organ.
Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
My wife and I enjoy international travel and took a group of students on a two-week tour of China in 2016. We visited Angkor Wat in Cambodia just before the pandemic shut down international travel, and the variety of architectural styles in the temples around Angkor Wat was stunning.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I cook Indian food. I especially enjoy making shahi paneer and navratan korma.
