Daniel Knight

Daniel Knight serves as an Associate Research Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Colorado's College of Engineering. His academic work bridges engineering principles with innovative educational practices, with particular emphasis on environmental engineering education and outreach initiatives.

Dr. Knight's research portfolio spans multiple critical areas of engineering education:

• Environmental Engineering Education methodologies
• Project Based Learning implementation
• Engineering Identity development frameworks
• Design Education approaches
• Outcomes Assessment techniques
• Program Evaluation frameworks

His educational background includes a BS from Louisiana State University (1989), followed by an MS (1995) and PhD (2003) from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Dr. Knight teaches MCEN 4/5291 Project Based Learning in Rural Schools, directly applying his research to classroom practice. His scholarly work demonstrates consistent growth in international educational partnerships, particularly through the SCENIC Mongolia initiative, and shows increasing focus on making engineering education accessible through low-cost environmental monitoring solutions in rural settings.

Among his notable professional recognitions:

• Department Service Award from Mechanical Engineering (2024)
• Best Division Conference Paper at ASEE Annual Conference (2023)
• Best PIC Conference Paper and Distinguished Lecture at ASEE Annual Conference (2020)
• Best PIC Conference Paper and Distinguished Lecture at ASEE Annual Conference (2019)
• Best Division Paper Award at ASEE Annual Conference (2018)

Dr. Knight maintains active collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions, focusing on leadership development, engineering identity formation, and effective educational practices. His work with international programs demonstrates commitment to global engineering education and cross-cultural exchange, while his research on rural outreach highlights dedication to educational equity and accessibility.