Marie Paretti

Marie Paretti is a Professor of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech, directing the Virginia Tech Engineering Communications Center (VTECC). She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (Virginia Tech, 1986), M.A. in English (Virginia Tech, 1990), and Ph.D. in English (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1997). Her research focuses on engineering identity, communication/teamwork, design education, and diversity/inclusion. Notable awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2008) and the Nunnally Award for Outstanding Faculty (2015).

Education:

• B.S., Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1986)
• M.A., English, Virginia Tech (1990)
• Ph.D., English, University of Wisconsin-Madison (1997)

Research Interests: Professional engineering identities, school-to-work transitions, communication/collaboration in engineering, design education, and inclusivity for underrepresented groups. Her work emphasizes creating inclusive environments through pedagogical innovation and empirical studies.

Key Contributions: Developed the SHARE framework for secondary data analysis, studied capstone design pedagogy, and explored identity dynamics in engineering workplaces. Authored/co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and secured multiple NSF grants.

Awards:

• 2022 Ronald S. Bliq Award (IEEE)
• 2019 COE Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service
• 2008 NSF CAREER Award

Teaching: Teaches courses on capstone design, engineering communication, and educational methodology. Her courses emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and professional skill development.

Labs/Teams: Leads the VTECC, focusing on advancing communication skills and professional development in engineering education.