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Have you ever had popcorn with a professor or donuts with your dean?  

During the first full week of the spring semester, ������’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering provided two events for students, staff and faculty in the building to mingle and get to know each other, as a fun way to kick off the academic term.  

Popcorn with Professors and Donuts with the Dean were both held in the newly renovated Aeronautics and Engineering Building.  

Stephanie Fussell, Ph.D., aeronautics coordinator and assistant professor, was one of the welcoming faces at the popcorn event. Fussell expresses the importance of meeting peers and professors informally.  

“It’s important because we are all people, and we can forget that sometimes when I’m behind a podium and you’re at a desk,” Fussell said. “It just lets us connect like real people and chat with each other.”  

Fussell also notes that events like this are an easy way to meet new peers and professors from programs you might not be associated with.  

Cassy Mendenhall, events planning coordinator for the college, enjoys hosting engaging events like Donuts with the Deans to facilitate these interactions.  

“It’s great to see deans, faculty and staff all interacting with students,” Mendenhall said. “We try to do a lot of events during the day, especially leading up to finals week.”

Autumn Ohl is a junior aerospace engineering student, and she also works for the College of Aeronautics and Engineering Communications and Marketing office. In the past, she has played a part in planning these events.  

“We really tried to get the student engaged within our community here.” Ohl said. “Since our college is smaller, we try to get to them to interact more with other professors and faculty or with each other.”  

For a high school sophomore taking college credit plus courses on campus, these events create a stepping stone. The event allows these students to get a head start by meeting peers and faculty in their future educational journey.

Popcorn with Professors and Donuts with the Deans are just some of the events programmed for this semester. Fussell said that they try to program events like these when students may need a snack or a little “pick-me-up.”  

Another Donuts with the Deans is slated for May 1, just before final exams in the ATB Atrium in the Aeronautics and Engineering Building.

Learn more about the College of Aeronautics and Engineering