Kelvin Erickson

Dr. Kelvin Erickson is the Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Undergraduate Coordinator at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He joined the faculty in 1986 and served as Department Chair from 2002 to 2014. His expertise spans control systems, factory automation, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), with over 40 years of experience in industrial automation and process control.

Education:

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Iowa State University
• MS and BS in Electrical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri-Rolla)

Research Interests:
Dr. Erickson focuses on manufacturing automation, PLC design and applications, advanced process control, and industrial control systems. He has authored multiple textbooks, including Programmable Logic Controllers: An Emphasis on Design and Application and Allen-Bradley PLCs: An Emphasis on Design and Application.

Awards and Honors:

• International Society of Automation Fellow (2019)
• Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professorship (2019)
• IEEE Region 5 Outstanding Engineering Educator Award (2015)
• Multiple UMR Outstanding Teacher Awards (1987–2015)

Grants and Collaborations:
He has led grants such as the Controls Laboratory Equipment project (co-PI with Jagannathan Sarangapani). His industry collaborations include work with Fisher Controls, Magnum Technologies, and Rockwell Automation.

Labs and Affiliations:
Dr. Erickson is affiliated with the Kent D. Peaslee Steel Manufacturing Research Center and serves as an ABET Evaluator and ETAC Commissioner.