Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering

Dr. Sam Bechara

Contact

Office: Scott 309
Phone: 970-491-1398
Email: samuel.bechara@colostate.edu

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Dr. Samuel Bechara

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs - Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering

Associate Teaching Professor

Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Bechara is not your average engineering professor. He’s a rebel with a cause – to revolutionize the way engineering is taught. After earning his B.S. in Bioengineering from Washington State University in 2008 and his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Colorado State University in 2012, Dr. Bechara hit the ground running.

He founded Hyperion Labs, a failed technology company, and even worked as an AP Physics high school physics teacher and FIRST robotics coach in Tacoma, Washington. But that’s not all. Dr. Bechara then went on to become the Assistant Chair and Lecturer in the Biomedical Engineering Department of the Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University joint department. Currently, Dr. Bechara has his dream job of teaching Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering students at Colorado State University.

Dr. Bechara’s passion lies in teaching, especially working with undergraduate students. He’s interested in engineering education research and effective teaching methods, and he loves nothing more than sharing his knowledge with eager young minds. With Dr. Bechara at the helm, the future of engineering education looks bright.

Education

  • Ph.D. 2012, Colorado State University — Biomedical Engineering
  • B.S. 2008,  Washington State University — Bioengineering

Awards & Recognition

  • Provost’s N. Preston Davis Award for Instructional Innovation -2024
  • Outstanding RSO Advisor of the Year (BMES) – 2024
  • Engineering College Council Most Inspiring Professor Award – 2024
  • Engineering College Council Funniest Professor Award – 2024
  • Engineering College Council Best Dressed Professor Award – 2022
  • George T. Abell Award for Teaching and Mentoring – 2021
  • Engineering College Council Funniest Professor Award -2020

Resources

Research Interests

  • Implicit Bias in Engineering
  • Sex Differences in Student Performance and Confidence
  • Effective Teaching Methods
  • Engineering Education Pedagogy
  • Long Term Effects of Study Abroad Education

Honors and Awards

  • 2013, William Dahlgren Teaching Excellence Award
  • 2013, Anthony Falcone Teaching Excellence Award
  • 2019, Engineering College Council “Too Smart For His Own Good” Award
  • 2019, RMS ASEE Best Presentation Award