Vernal Alford

Vernal Alford serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Assistant to the Dean in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University, focusing on engineering education and STEM outreach for underrepresented communities.

His academic credentials include:

• M.S. in Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University (1985)
• B.S. in Architectural Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University (1983)

Research centers on developing socially conscious engineering curricula, with emphasis on project-based learning for freshmen and 21st-century skill integration. He pioneers initiatives engaging minority middle school girls in STEM through after-school programs and enrichment laboratories, while exploring industry-academia partnerships for advanced manufacturing innovation.

Publications from 2014-2016 reveal consistent focus on educational methodology, showing progression from case studies in enrichment laboratories (2015) to technology-driven manufacturing partnerships (2014) and contemporary skill infusion frameworks (2016), all targeting underrepresented group inclusion.

No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials.

Professional service includes Board Membership (2018-2023), though specific advisees and grant funding remain unlisted. Teaching responsibilities span Engineering Topics Review, Design & Ethics, and Graphics courses since 2020.

Key initiatives include Engineering Enrichment Laboratories and After School Matters programs, demonstrating collaborative approaches to broaden STEM participation through structured laboratory experiences and extended learning environments.