Spring 2024 - Systems Engineering

We have 36 amazing graduates in Spring & Summer 2024!

An impressive 10 earned PhDs, 1 earned their D.Eng., 23 received master’s degrees, and 2 received certificates.

Here’s a list of the graduates followed by select testimonials.

Congratulations to the graduates for this achievement!

Kenneth Hunu, D.Eng.

Vincil Bishop, Ph.D.

Kwaku Boakye, Ph.D.

Steve Caldwell, Ph.D.

Jerry Duggan, Ph.D.

Ahmed Elhadeedy, Ph.D.

Eric Herbert, Ph.D.

Frank Nguyen, Ph.D.

Jason Orr, Ph.D.

Cailin Simpson, Ph.D.

Dahl Winters, Ph.D.

Rachel Day, M.S.

Cory Castaneda, M.S.

Logan Fegenbush, M.S.

Alexander Lynch, M.S.

Reece Moellenhoff, M.S.

Fletcher Ouren, M.S.

Gabe Salinger, M.S.

Brennan Abramowitz, M.E.

Teylar Adelsberger, M.E.

Briana Ceballos (Shevock), M.E.

Danielle Denno, M.E.

Kaelin Glover, M.E.

Alex Hainen, M.E.

Matt Heath, M.E.

Matt Hren, M.E.

Ethan Jacobs, M.E.

Brandon Moore, M.E.

Matt Pipan, M.E.

Kirk Russell, M.E.

Cameron South, M.E.

Allison Toms, M.E.

Thomas Vail, M.E.

Shawn Valtin, M.E.

Jeff Holt, Certificate

Lucas Krause, Certificate

Kwaku Boakye, Ph.D.

Hometown

Kumasi, Ghana

Current Home

Westminster, Maryland

Dissertation title

Raw Material Optimization and Co2 Sensitivity-Predictive Analytics In Cement Manufacturing: A Case Study At Union Bridge Plant, Heidelberg Materials, Maryland

Advisor

Prof. Steve Simske

Favorite memory

"My journal paper being accepted for publication and completing the dissertation after two good years"

Post-graduation plans

“Continue working in the cement and construction industry to help reach the NetZero goal of 2050 and collaborating with others for research work.”

Thanks you’d like to give

“I would first like to thank Prof. Simske for his excellent advice throughout the program. He was amazing, and his response to emails was also amazing. In addition, I would like to thank my dearest wife, Gladys Boakye, for her full support, and my kids, Nanadwoa, Kwabena and Kwaku Jr. Lastly, the System Engineering department is an amazing department, and their support was incredible. Special thanks go to Ingrid Bridge for quick response to any question I had, and Prof. Thomas Bradley for his support. My appreciation also goes to my committee members, and my parents.”

Anything else you’d like to share?

“The CSU Systems Engineering program is excellent. I am grateful to be leaving graduate school with a lot of high-quality knowledge.”

Image of Cailin Simpson outside in a dress.

Cailin Simpson, Ph.D.

Hometown

Huntsville, AL

Current Home

Huntsville, AL

Dissertation title

Hybrid MBSE-Devops Model for Implementation in Very Small Enterprises

Advisor or faculty mentor

Dr. Steve Simske

Favorite memory

“It's hard to choose just one. I'd say that it's a tie between touring CSU as a prospective graduate student and defending my dissertation. Both were welcoming and important milestones in my CSU experience!”

Post-graduation plans

“Continue to help organizations adopt MBSE and DevOps practices that work for their business.”

Thanks you’d like to give

“I cannot thank my advisor, Dr. Steve Simske, enough for patiently teaching, supporting, and encouraging me throughout this process. Thank you to Dr. Ron Sega for believing that I was a good fit for the CSU Systems Engineering PhD Program and introducing me to Dr. Simske. Thank you to my dissertation committee members, Dr. Erika Miller and Dr. Brad Reisfeld for their thoughtful feedback and support. Lastly, I'd like to thank my family, friends, and my loving husband for being my rock throughout the process.”

Anything else you’d like to share?

“The Systems Engineering Department at CSU is a special place for extraordinary folks who are dedicated to a better tomorrow. If you are considering joining the program, it's a journey that is well worth the challenge.”

Image of Caldwell in a suit holding a CSU hat.

Steve Caldwell, Ph.D.

Hometown

Glens Falls, NY

Current Home

Hardeeville, SC

Dissertation title

Structural Health Monitoring in Adhesively Bonded Composite Joints

Advisor

Dr. Donald Radford

Favorite memory

"Performing experiments with Dr. Radford in the Composites Lab"

Post-graduation plans

"Retire with my wife in Latitude Margaritaville, Hilton Head, South Carolina"

Special Thanks

"To my wife, Dr. Radford, my committee, and Ingrid Bridge!"

Anything else you’d like to share?

"I really enjoyed the CSU Systems Engineering PhD program and feel it to be the best in the country for online studies. For me, I was able to successfully complete the program and retire from my job one week apart after a long career and academic journey. I will keep the connections I made with CSU for many years to come."

Matthew Hren, M.E.

Hometown

Longmont, CO

Current Home

Colorado Springs, CO

Advisor

Ann Batchelor

Favorite Memory

“Passing my last class of the program and finishing it out.”

Post Grad Plans

“Continue to work as an engineer and spend my free time with family, friends and skiing in the winter.”

Thanks

“To my family and fiancé for supporting me through it all! Couldn't have done it without you all.”

Anything you’d like to say else?

“Thanks CSU and the SE department! You all were great!”

Eric Herbert, Ph.D.

Hometown

Susquehanna, PA

Current Home

State College, PA

Dissertation

Managing Risk in Commercial-Off-the-Shelf Based Space Hardware Systems

Co-Advisors

Dr. Thomas Bradley & Dr. Ronald Sega

Favorite memory

“Being a distance student, visiting the Colorado State University Fort Collins campus. Beautiful environment.”

Post-graduation plans

“Continue to work on cutting edge technology at the Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory as a Research and Development Engineer.”

Thanks you’d like to give

“Truly grateful to the CSU faculty and staff who dedicated their time helping me achieve my academic goals.”

Reece Moellenhoff, M.S.

Hometown

Loveland, CO

Current Home

Fort Collins, CO

Thesis Title

Fungal Radiation Shielding for Space Applications

Advisor

Dr. Vinnie Paglioni

Favorite Memory

“My favorite memory would have to be the time I built a water propelled rocket for my chemical rocket propulsion course. It took many hours to design the right type of connection system to release the pressure from the air built up above the water inside the rocket. However, once we did, the whole thing was “fluid”, and our rocket flew the farthest in the class – across the entire IM fields.”

Post-graduation Plans

“Plans are always changing, and that’s what makes them interesting. I look forward to doing something different. I am running in Colorado’s state elections this cycle to try and serve the community I love more. Other than that, still waiting to hear back from NASA regarding a proposal which would set me up for another two years of CSU, pursuing a PhD AND completing a space research project funded by NASA.”

Thanks

“I would love to give thanks to my advisor, Dr. Vinnie Paglioni, for believing in me and supporting my goals and dreams of this degree and beyond. I would, also, love to give thanks to my family and friends (especially my girlfriend) who made this process enjoyable and kept me “sane” through the homework/papers that were consuming my mind.”

Anything else to share:

“I would highly encourage other graduate students to get involved in each other’s lives. Everyone working toward this sort of degree is highly intelligent and has a lot of stress already – so, we need each other to get through it all. I have never been disappointed in trying to reach out to folks within the department, both students and staff. Also, get out there and vote!