Like many administrators in higher education faced with shifting priorities in the face of the pandemic, I have been working with faculty, staff and leaders at my university to provide our students with something resembling “normal.” After more than a year of remote and hybrid work and learning, it was important that we find a way to restore traditional classroom instruction and in-person experiences while remaining vigilant for the next wave, the next spike, the next new challenge.
But perhaps it’s important to note that “normal” will never return. Even when we reach that day where masks are something we find in the back of our closets, the lessons we learned during COVID will stay with us. We learned that remote work and learning are not only possible, but can be a valuable addition to the educational options we offer to students. We learned patience and flexibility, and that neither is ever a bad thing to have in abundance.
Vitally, we also learned the importance of taking care of ourselves and of each other. Here at Drexel Engineering, this kind of care-focused mindset is a central piece of our mission to engineer change within ourselves and in the world around us. In this issue of Dragon Discoveries, we share how that mindset is playing out in a number of ways.
You will learn how building materials can be made from industrial waste and how a new polymer can strengthen bonds in orthopedic surgeries. You will read about a revolutionary electrode that could spark an evolution in the battery industry, and how data can allow building managers to learn new strategies to keep their properties safe and their residents healthy and comfortable. You will also see how Drexel engineers are leading innovation in the engineering education space, preparing the next generation of thought leaders and change agents who will take on this mantle and make the world a better place.
Each day, I am inspired by the research and innovations that my colleagues are creating here at Drexel. I hope you find the same inspiration and carry it with you in your own work.
Sharon L. Walker
Dean and Distinguished Professor
College of Engineering
