Wade Goodridge

Wade Goodridge is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Utah State University (USU), within the College of Engineering. He holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from USU and is actively involved in teaching, research, and graduate student mentorship. His academic roles include teaching core engineering courses such as Engineering Mechanics: Statics and specialized graduate courses in engineering education pedagogy and assessment.

Educational Background:

• PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Hydraulic and Sedimentation Engineering), Utah State University, 2009
• MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Hydraulic and Water Resources), Utah State University, 2006
• BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State University, 2006
• BS in Industrial Technology Education, Utah State University, 1998

His research interests focus on engineering education, particularly the impact of physical modeling on student learning, metacognitive strategies in open-ended design problems, and the effectiveness of synchronous and asynchronous online instruction. He investigates how students' spatial abilities and learning styles influence performance in engineering curricula, often using psychophysiological measures like EEG and galvanic skin response. His work bridges cognitive science with engineering pedagogy to improve instructional design.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in cognitive and metacognitive aspects of engineering learning, especially during online and remote instruction. Topics include task value perception during the pandemic, neural efficiency in spatial tasks, and self-regulated learning in web-based courses. These works reflect an interdisciplinary approach combining education, psychology, and engineering.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Outstanding Teacher Award, ASEE Rocky Mountain Section (2017)
• Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Department of Engineering Education (2016)
• Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year (multiple years)
• Researcher of the Year, USU Regional Campuses (2013)
• 21st Century Fellow, ITEEA (2015)
• Elected CUR Engineering Division Councilor (2016)
• Golden Key National Honor Society Member (2007)
• Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow (1992)

Dr. Goodridge has advised numerous graduate students in Engineering Education, guiding them through dissertation research and independent studies. He has secured research funding and led projects such as an REU site on engineering education research. His teaching portfolio includes Statics, Fluid Mechanics, Surveying, and Engineering Graphics, demonstrating a broad impact across foundational and advanced engineering topics.

He is involved in developing educational tools such as the Tactile Mental Cutting Test to assess spatial ability in blind and low-vision students, showcasing his commitment to inclusive engineering education. His technical work also extends to culvert hydraulics and sediment transport, linking his engineering expertise with educational applications.