Engineering for US All (e4usa) is pleased to welcome Dr. Anne Spence to its Board of Directors.
Dr. Spence is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in Baylor University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science and Clinical Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Her career brings together engineering practice, higher education leadership, and nearly three decades of engagement in K–12 engineering education.
Before entering academia, Dr. Spence worked as a handling qualities engineer at Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas. She earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and a PhD in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland. Her academic career has included appointments as a visiting lecturer in aerospace engineering at the University of Maryland and professor of practice in mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, before joining Baylor. She is also a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Dr. Spence’s interest in engineering began early. Her father, a pilot, engineer, and engineering professor, introduced her to the possibilities of the field through hands-on experiences with aviation and model rockets. Her mother, an elementary school teacher, reinforced the importance of learning and education. Together, those influences helped shape Dr. Spence’s enduring commitment to making engineering accessible to young people.
Across her career, Dr. Spence has been committed to expanding both access to and understanding of engineering. Her experience as one of the few women in her academic major and early professional roles sharpened her awareness of the importance of representation, meaningful learning opportunities, and visible pathways into the profession. That perspective has informed her work to strengthen the engineering pipeline and to develop learning environments that engage a broader population of students.
“e4usa has been a critical voice in advancing engineering education for students in the K–12 arena,” Dr. Spence said. “Serving on the Board of Directors allows me the opportunity to guide and support an already stellar organization as it blazes new pathways for students.”
Dr. Spence is especially drawn to e4usa’s commitment to reaching every community with the message that engineering is for us all. She believes that all young people should have opportunities to understand the breadth of engineering and to see themselves as capable of pursuing it as a field of study and career.
As a member of the Board, Dr. Spence looks forward to supporting students as they develop their engineering identities and working alongside educators as they integrate engineering into their classrooms. Her leadership will help advance e4usa’s efforts to prepare and inspire the next generation of engineers.