Welcome to the first in our new series, Faculty Fireside, where we will feature one of our experienced faculty and their program of study. Today we feature Don Gelosh, PhD, ESEP-Acq, a seasoned professor and Director of the Systems Engineering program here at WPI.
After 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Gelosh made the transition from serving his country to serving students. His military career took him through a range of interesting roles, such as working with NASA engineers and astronauts on the Space Shuttle program to teaching at institutions like the U.S. Air Force Academy and the National Defense University.
“I retired in 2001 and worked for several years at the Pentagon, at Joint Forces Command, and in industry,” Dr. Gelosh says. “I was the Deputy Director for Workforce Development in the Systems Engineering office at the Pentagon when I was recruited for the Director of Systems Engineering position at WPI. I started in January 2012 and have been here since then.”
That decision was fueled by a long-term passion for education. “My biggest inspiration in teaching and leading the SE program at WPI was the ability to help others learn,” he says. He also likes to say: “I am an Educator because Education enables freedom. I am a Systems Engineer because Systems Engineering provides the technology that enables societies to grow, prosper, and remain free. I am a Systems Engineering Educator at WPI because there, I can be both.”
Interested in learning more about WPI’s Systems Engineering Program?
Dr. Gelosh teaches a wide range of courses within the Systems Engineering program, including (SYS 501) Concepts of Systems Engineering, (SYS 540) Introduction to Systems Thinking, (SYS 579) Reliability Engineering, (SYS 585) Systems Engineering Capstone Experience, and (IDG 598) Systems Engineering Leadership Project. What he enjoys most about his role is simple: “Interacting with the students.”
For Dr. Gelosh, experience isn’t just something he draws from, it’s a tool for connection. “I bring my close to 50 years of experience into the classroom,” he says. “I really enjoy talking with the students about their experiences in the subject and then telling them about my experiences. This really helps to make systems engineering very real and practical to them.” By using real-world examples in class discussions, he shows students how to see that the material applies beyond the classroom.
That “real-world” use is why Systems Engineering is so relevant today. “People may find it surprising that systems are all around us in the world. There are natural systems, man-made systems, electrical systems, mechanical systems, etc. Systems Engineering gives us the tools and methods to make sense of it all.”
Dr. Gelosh hopes students leave his classroom with more than just technical knowledge. “I hope they take away the knowledge and skills they learned in class in order to enhance their experiences on the job and in life. I also hope they take away the concept that you should never stop learning.” In fact, that is one of Dr. Gelosh’s most rewarding parts of the job- helping his students “learn and benefit from applying what they learned to their jobs and life in general.”
Dr. Gelosh’s advice for students interested in Systems Engineering is all about being prepared and staying curious. “One piece of advice I always give my students is to learn all you can about your chosen field. The more they learn and the more experiences they have prepare them to take advantage of unknown opportunities in the future.”
For prospective students considering WPI’s Systems Engineering program, Dr. Gelosh makes it clear what sets us apart. “You can obtain knowledge and skills about Systems Engineering, but you will also acquire real experiences working with and leading teams in the courses. What we teach on Tuesday you can put to work on Wednesday. Our faculty and staff are very interested and invested in your success as a student and after you graduate as an employee. Students are our #1 customer and our #1 product.”
He also sees a bright future ahead for the field of Systems Engineering as a whole. “What excites me the most is that there is no limit on what we can learn about systems and systems engineering. With Artificial Intelligence and Digital Engineering and all the new concepts and ideas coming our way, the field is wide open for exploration and learning.”
We are very proud to have experienced and dedicated individuals like Dr. Don Gelosh working to make WPI the university the world needs now.