welcome from the DEPARTMENT CHAIR

Laura Lackey, Ph.D., P.E., Associate Professor and Chair, Environmental Specialization

As Professor and Chair of the Environmental specialization (EVE), it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our web site. Our Environmental specialization is the oldest in the State of Georgia and is a stand-alone program not affiliated with a Civil or Chemical Engineering curriculum. Many of the environmental engineering topics offered in our program are not taught at the undergraduate level at many universities. Our curriculum is exciting, yet challenging. We offer in-depth study of environmental issues related to the biosphere; our air, land, and water environments.

The Environmental specialization focuses on undergraduate education. EVE students are taught by Environmental Engineering professors, not graduate students that are typically used at large research universities.

Environmental specialization classes in the upper level courses are relatively small in size ranging from 5 to 15 students. This allows EVE professors the opportunity to interact with students on a one-on-one basis enabling them to develop mentoring types of relationships that enhance the overall educational experience of students. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Degree (BSE) is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc. which allows graduates to pursue licensure as Professional Engineers.

Environmental engineering is a rapidly growing engineering discipline. The US Department of Labor projects the need for environmental engineers to increase over 27% or more than the average for other occupations through 2014. Our graduates easily find employment in Georgia and the east coast in engineering consulting firms, industry, regulatory agencies (such as EPA, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection), and municipalities. Many of our graduates pursue graduate school in environmental engineering or environmental law.

All the Environmental specialization faculty members have won “Teacher of the Year Awards” at least once in their careers. EVE faculty are consistently performing at the highest scholarly level as indicated by their numerous publications in refereed journals and research symposia. They are actively involved in professional technical societies and are always trying creative strategies for enhancing student learning. All EVE faculty hold a doctorate in engineering and are registered professional engineers or pursuing licensure.

Please contact me should you have an interest in the BSE Environmental specialization or have questions concerning our program. My phone number is (478) 301-4106. I look forward to having some of you in my classes in the near future.