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.”
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.”
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: