Fall 2024 | Webb School of Engineering

FALL 2024

DEAN’S INTRODUCTION From the Dean: As always, it has been a busy and productive summer and fall semester for the School of Engineering. After a national search, Dr. Jenny Sharpe (formerly Fuselier) has taken on the role of chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. She has already hit the ground running with new ideas and is working with faculty to make them a reality. We also hired some new faculty – Shawna Summers started in Computer Science in August 2024, and in January 2025 we welcomed Julia Christman to Mathematical Sciences. Our programs continue to grow as High Point University grows each year.

We also started 3 new programs: mechanical engineering, mechatronic engineering, and general engineering. The first intake of students into the freshmen courses was in August 204 with 22 students entering these programs. The common freshmen experience with electrical and computer engineering has made it easy to accommodate these new students.

ABET is the accrediting body for engineering and computer science programs and we hosted a visit team to review our programs in electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science. The commissions will meet in July 2025 to determine the outcome, but everything looks positive.

As you read through the newsletter you’ll see that every department is busy and that our students are engaged in many exciting projects and going from success to success.

Michael Oudshoorn Dean, Webb School of Engineering

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DEPARTMENTAL NEWS: ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING Message from the Chair

by Dr. Claire McCullough

Greetings from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering! We’ve had some very positive developments since our last newsletter.

We had our first two Electrical Engineering graduates in May. Both had jobs lined up long before graduation, one with Qorvo and one with a government contractor, and both passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam on the first try. The Computer Engineering graduates from May who took the FE exam also passed, so our 100% pass rate is still intact. While we don’t claim that all of our students in the future will always pass on the first try, we do feel that this shows that both our Electrical and Computer Engineering programs provide our students with the knowledge they need to succeed.

Since we have now had graduates from both programs, we are moving forward with the process to seek ABET accreditation. We had the visit from the accreditation team in October, and although the results won’t be announced until summer, we received some very positive comments from the evaluators, on the high quality of our laboratory equipment and on the strong, supportive environment we have created for our students.

We now have all our laboratories completely set up and functional, from power to robotics. These provide all the necessary support for the hands-on experiences which we have as part of all our courses. We regard the fact that all our engineering courses have labs as an important feature of our programs—none of our classes are just equations on paper, but students are able to make the connection to the real-world applications of everything they study.

Dr. Eve Klopf’s research team is currently working on a project that is sponsored by a faculty research grant from the NC Space grant and which is focused on exploring technology for energy harvesting on the lunar surface. Two undergraduate researchers are currently being employed by the grant to help with research for the project. The research group recently gave an invited talk at the December board meeting for the NC Space Grant. Student researchers for this project also shared an update on their results at the most recent State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS).

Dr. Claire McCullough Dr. Claire McCullough Professor and Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering

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DEPARTMENTAL NEWS: COMPUTER SCIENCE Message from the Chair

by Dr. Michael Oudshoorn

The department continues to grow in terms of student numbers and faculty positions. The cybersecurity and computer science programs both saw strong growth with the cybersecurity program now having as many incoming freshman as the computer science major! Both programs are strong programs which challenge the students, who in turn demonstrate that they are as good as any student anywhere. The cybersecurity program recently had a team of students finish 55th in the country in a cyberleague competition. Since there were over 5,000 teams participating, this put HPU in the top 1% in the country! Congratulations to the students and the faculty mentors.

Students have been quite successful over the past year. Hanna Zellis (’24) was accepted for graduate school in the fall at Duke University, Johns Hopkins, and Carnegie Mellon, and will be attending Northwestern University to pursue a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence.

Graduate Sabrina Rao (’23) received the “Student Achievement Award” for most outstanding performance in the Bryant University Masters in Data Science Program. Seven student interns mentored by Dr. Lloyd Williams, successfully developed online training for the NC Department of Public Safety. The student group, HPU Minds, with faculty advisor Dr. Lloyd Williams has successfully created Virtual Reality training to expose individuals to their phobias, utilizing biofeedback to mediate the experience with the aim of gradually desensitizing people through safe exposure. Two students worked over the summer on grant-funded research projects with Dr. Luis Cueva Parra As mentioned in the Dean’s welcome to the newsletter, we recently had an ABET accreditation visit and we will get the final determination after the July commission meeting. Accreditation will be backdated 2 years to cover those graduates as well.

Finally, we welcome new faculty to the department with Shawna Summers joining us as an instructor in August 2024.

Michael Oudshoorn Dean, Webb School of Engineering

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HPU Minds Explores VR Exposure Therapy

By Dr. Lloyd Williams The HPU Minds research group, guided by faculty advisor Dr. Lloyd Williams, is at the forefront of exploring innovative applications of virtual reality (VR) integrated with real-time biofeedback for advancing exposure therapy for phobias.

Our interdisciplinary team, drawing from computer science, psychology, and human-computer interaction, has developed a system that combines immersive VR environments with adaptive biofeedback to create a deeply personalized therapeutic experience.

Traditional phobia exposure therapy has shown significant effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders; however, it often falls short in replicating realistic, controlled scenarios for gradual exposure. To address these challenges, the HPU Minds project employs VR to create safe, customizable environments where patients can encounter their fears in progressive stages. Leveraging the Meta Quest 3 headset, known for its high-resolution display and robust processing capabilities, we immerse patients in scenarios tailored to specific phobias such as heights, spiders, or confined spaces. Through real-time monitoring of physiological data—namely, heart rate and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)—we can track and respond to the patient’s stress levels, ensuring that the exposure experience remains within an optimal therapeutic range.

As patients engage in these VR environments, our system uses biofeedback to continuously adjust the intensity of exposure. By simplifying or intensifying the scenario based on real-time responses, our approach ensures that patients encounter challenging situations in a safe, controlled manner, promoting gradual desensitization. This personalized, adaptive mechanism allows for a therapeutic experience that is both highly effective and individualized, representing a significant step forward in exposure therapy for anxiety and phobias.

The HPU Minds group has had the honor of collaborating with Steve Wozniak on this project, benefiting from his invaluable insights into human-computer interaction and real-time technology applications.

In February, the team will have the opportunity to showcase the project in a live demonstration for Mr. Wozniak, providing a firsthand look at the system’s capabilities and our progress toward revolutionizing therapeutic technology.

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DEPARTMENTAL NEWS: MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES Message from the Chair

by Dr. Jenny Sharpe

Hello from the Department of Mathematical Sciences! It’s an exciting time for our department, as we begin an era of new leadership and benefit from a mixture of new and established faculty members. Our department is fortunate to have both fresh energy and experienced voices among us. We are delighted to introduce two new faculty members joining us this academic year, Dr. Dustin Nichols and Dr. Adam Pennell.

Our faculty are engaged in a wide array of research endeavors, including Dr. Adam Graham-Squire in voting theory, Dr. Eddie Fuselier in approximation theory, and Dr. Pujita Sapra in Randomized Response Techniques. These are just a few examples of the diverse research areas our faculty are pursuing, and we are excited to involve our students in these explorations.

We are also committed to fostering strong connections with our alumni. This fall, we had the pleasure of hosting two alumni events on campus and are eager to continue this tradition.

Alumni, we would love to welcome you back to our campus and hear about your experiences and achievements! Please let us know if you would like to participate in future events.

Please reach out to me at jsharpe1@highpoint.edu with opportunities or ideas related to mathematics, mathematical economics, actuarial science, or data analytics and statistics. I’d love to hear from you!

Dr. Jenny Sharpe

Dr. Jenny Sharpe Chair and Professor of Mathematical Sciences

Gabriella Green ’23 Heads to Law School

By Dr. Jenny Sharpe This past spring, Mathematical Economics graduate Gabriella Green earned HPU’s highest-ever score on the Law School Admissions Test, leading to acceptances and full-tuition offers at multiple top-ten programs, including University of Virginia and Northwestern. She is attending University of Michigan on a fulltuition scholarship this fall. Congratulations, Gabriella!

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Dr. O’Hara Wins Service Award

By Dr. Jenny Sharpe Dr. Karen O’Hara, Associate Professor of Mathematics, received the 2024 Southeastern Section of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA-SE) Distinguished Service Award at its March 14-16 meeting at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Dr. O’Hara joined HPU as a faculty member in 1999 and since 2006 has been actively involved in service to MAA-SE, which includes Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. It is the largest of the country’s 29 regional sections.

She served four years as editor of the MAA-SE newsletter and eight years as co-director of its Project NExT, which is a professional development program for new or recent graduates with a doctoral degree in mathematical sciences. She currently serves as the director of student activities, a position she has held since 2016.

Her colleagues on the committees she’s served said Dr. O’Hara always works “with smiles and lots of patience.” We in the Webb School of Engineering wholeheartedly believe it! Congratulations, Dr. O’Hara!

Mathematical Sciences Department Hires Nichols and Pennell

By Dr. Jenny Sharpe In August 2024, the Department of Mathematical Sciences welcomed two new full-time faculty, Drs. Dustin Nichols and Adam Pennell.

Dr. Nichols completed his PhD in Computational Mathematics from UNC-Greensboro in August 2024 including a Doctoral Minor in Statistics. Dr. Nichols is an applied mathematician with a research focus Dr. Dustin Nichols in mathematical ecology. This fall, he taught courses including Mathematical Thought and Precalculus, and in the upcoming spring he will teach an elective in Mathematical Modeling. Welcome, Dr. Nichols!

Dr. Pennell comes to us from Greensboro College, where he has been a full-time faculty member since 1998.

Dr. Pennell is an experienced educator, having taught a variety of courses over his career and is also a soughtafter workshop facilitator for Texas Instruments, serving as a Teachers Teaching Dr. Adam Pennell with Technology National Instructor. He has taught part-time at HPU since 2013, and we welcome him now as a full-time faculty member. This fall, he engaged our majors and minors in Linear Algebra, and he will teach our Cryptography class to our majors as well as Computer Science and Cybersecurity majors this spring.

Welcome, Dr. Pennell!

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FACULTY FEATURE Dr. Dustin Nichols Dr. Nichols has taught courses here, including: Precalculus, Math of Life, Intro to Math Thought, Business Calculus, and Mathematical Modeling. He enjoys having students present and discuss their work in class. He also emphasizes projects to get students to understand concepts at a deeper level and to make connections to other disciplines. His research interests include studying population persistence through reaction-diffusion models in spatial ecology.

1.

What motivated you to choose your field of practice and what do you enjoy about it?

One of the key drivers into mathematical modeling was during my 2nd year of teaching HS math. I got to teach honors discrete math, where the material focuses on solving practical (real-world) problems which don’t seem mathematical at first, but to which mathematics can be applied (e.g.

Apportionment, TSP’s). Besides this, I grew up with a keen interest in weather (forecasting).

2.

What are your current research interests?

My current research interests are in the area of spatial ecology. We study population persistence by looking at the steady-states of a boundary-value problem, whose dynamics depend on several parameters (e.g. per-capita growth rate, mode of diffusion, emigration rate).

3.

What are you most excited about in regards to the upcoming semester?

I look forward to teaching Calculus 3 for the first time. It’s one of the first times students get to work in multiple dimensions and you combine concepts from calculus and linear algebra.

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4.

Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work that you would like to share?

I don’t do them often enough to be good, but I like to play guitar and enjoy going to Topgolf on occasion.

5.

If you could go back in time, what, if anything, would you do differently as a student?

Learn programming concurrent with my math major. I did not have a lot of extra time, as education (9-12 teaching) was essentially a double-major. During my PhD, I got thrown in the deep end, having to get good at programming while learning numerical analysis and finite element methods.

FACULTY FEATURE Dr. Kedrian James Dr. Kedrian James teaches a variety of courses in cybersecurity and computer science, including computer systems, reverse engineering and malware analysis, and systems security. Outside the classroom, he serves as the faculty advisor for the Code & Cyber Club, where students showcase their skills by competing in regional and national coding competitions and capture the flag (CTF) events.

As cybersecurity continues to evolve, Dr. James is especially interested in exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance threat detection, malware analysis, and vulnerability discovery. He also looks forward to working with students on hands-on research projects, helping them gain practical experience in the field.

1.

2.

What motivated you to choose your field of practice and what do you enjoy about it?

3.

What are you most excited about in regards to the upcoming semester?

For me, educating others has always been a profound source of joy and fulfillment. I look forward to every opportunity to engage with students, not just in the classroom but also through hands-on projects, competitions, and discussions about emerging challenges in cybersecurity.

I’m especially excited to welcome new students and help them build a strong foundation in cybersecurity. I look forward to incorporating more practical, hands-on experiences into my courses, helping students bridge the gap between theory and practice and preparing them for realworld challenges.

I’m particularly drawn to cybersecurity because it’s a constantly evolving field that requires creativity, problem-solving, and technical expertise. There’s always something new to learn, and I enjoy helping students develop the skills and mindset they’ll need to thrive in this fast-paced industry. I’m also excited to contribute to building a strong cybersecurity program that prepares students for successful careers and lifelong learning in the field.

I’m also excited to continue working with the Code & Cyber Club, where students have the opportunity to showcase their skills in coding competitions and capture the flag (CTF) events.

It’s always rewarding to see students apply what they’ve learned in class to creative problemsolving and collaborative challenges.

4.

Outside of work, I enjoy nature walks and road trips, cooking, and spending time with my family.

I also make time to stay active at the gym and pursue my passion for DJing, particularly mixing reggae music.

What are your current research interests?

My research interests focus broadly on cybersecurity, including areas such as malware analysis, software security, vulnerability discovery, secure programming practices, and network forensics and security. I’m also particularly interested in exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance cybersecurity processes, from threat detection to automated analysis. In addition, I’m excited to involve students in applied research projects, giving them hands-on experience with these emerging technologies.

Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work that you would like to share?

5.

If you could go back in time, what, if anything, would you do differently as a student?

If I could go back, I would make a greater effort to get involved in collaborative projects and research opportunities earlier in my academic journey.

Coursework is important, but working alongside peers and faculty on real-world challenges provides invaluable experience and helps build strong professional relationships. That’s something I encourage my students to seek out as early as possible.

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Levi Wenger B.S Computer Engineering, 2025 1.

What are you studying at HPU? Computer Engineering.

2.

Why did you choose HPU? I chose High Point University partially because I am from North Carolina and would be close to family but also because I had heard really good things about the program at High Point University. However, I ended up deciding finally to go to High Point University because the Lord was leading me here above other places.

3.

What interests do you have outside of your major?

Outside of my engineering major, I particularly enjoy singing in various choirs and for Christian worship. I’ve been in choir all 8 semesters of my time here at High Point University and it is by far one of my favorite things to participate here at HPU. I also love singing for the Lord in worship services at HPU and off campus. I take my faith very seriously and am involved in various oncampus and off-campus Christian ministries like the Chapel, Board of Stewards, Community University, and other ministries.

4.

What are some of the challenges that you have faced or overcome this semester?

A particular challenge that I have faced this semester is being incredibly busy. I took on a huge workload for my last semester at HPU wanting to make the best of my remaining time having 18 credits plus my extracurricular involvement like choir and ministry and it’s been difficult to find time to do everything. As a result, I’ve had to get better at prioritizing my time and working well under stress with greater time constraints, which I believe is a valuable skill.

5.

What do you hope to do with your degree when you graduate?

After I graduate, I desire to be able to serve others with my skills and talents I’ve picked up from my time here at High Point University. I would particularly desire to use my skills to serve the Lord in some capacity. Last summer I interned for a missionary and Bible translation company called SIL International and I really enjoyed the opportunity to use my skills to benefit the spread of the love of the Lord. I would love to continue doing something of this form even if it means compromising a bit on my paycheck.

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6.

Are you involved in any activities on campus?

In what capacity As mentioned before, I’m very involved in the choral department at High Point University, being part of the Chamber Singers and Chapel Choir choral divisions. In addition, I am involved in various on-campus ministries which give me opportunities to share the love of Christ with others, worship the Lord, and study his word including various Bible studies, worship services, and other meetings.

7.

What advice would you like to share with your peers or with future students?

One of the things that I have found extremely helpful that I have learned during my time at HPU is to not back down when trials and obstacles come in your way but to press on. If you only live for the “high points” of your life (no pun intended) then the satisfaction of your life will be limited to those points and other times you will be rushing to try to get back to those high points. There is value in the journey where there are trials and obstacles because this is where you learn the most and your character is most refined. The most happy person in the world is the person who finds satisfaction and joy not only in the “high points” but also during the journey where there are those trials. Your life will have much more meaning and substance if you learn this skill; being able to have contentment and joy in all situations.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Abby Hyatt B.S Mathematics, 2025 1.

What are you studying at HPU? I am a mathematics major with a minor in computer science.

2.

Why did you choose HPU? Being from North Carolina, HPU was close enough to home for me to visit, and from my first time on campus, I knew it was the right fit. The welcoming community made me feel at home immediately. HPU offers the perfect balance—a campus that feels vibrant with opportunities while still providing small, intimate class sizes where I can build meaningful connections with my professors. This is exactly what I was looking for.

3.

What interests do you have outside of your major?

6.

Outside of mathematics, I have a strong passion for education. I have taken several courses within the Stout School of Education and have enjoyed exploring different learning strategies and ways to support students in their academic journeys.

4.

5.

Yes! I am currently serving as the president of Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society, where I help lead initiatives that support academic excellence and student engagement. I am also a member of Tri Sigma and a university captain ambassador. Getting involved on campus is how I met some of my best friends and it allowed me to grow as a person outside of the classroom during my four years.

What are some of the challenges that you have faced or overcome this semester?

This semester, balancing my academic workload, leadership roles, and job responsibilities has been a challenge, but it has also helped me grow.

I’ve learned the importance of adaptability, time management, and asking for help when needed.

Whether it’s managing a team at work, leading an organization, or tackling difficult coursework, I’ve found that leaning on my support system has been key to overcoming obstacles.

What do you hope to do with your degree when you graduate?

After graduating, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics, I am still deciding which program I will call home next year. My ultimate goal is to work in academia, where I can continue my learning journey. I love the process of exploring mathematical concepts and mentoring students, I hope to contribute to the field in the future.

Are you involved in any activities on campus?

In what capacity

7.

What advice would you like to share with your peers or with future students?

Get involved and take advantage of every opportunity that interests you! The experiences you gain outside of the classroom can be just as impactful as what you learn in class. Don’t be afraid to step into leadership roles, challenge yourself, and reach out for support when you need it. Your time at HPU is what you make of it, so be proactive in shaping your own path!

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