Get to Know HFC: Hassan Mohseni Nameghi
After six years as an engineer in the private sector, HFC pre-engineering program Director Dr. Hassan Mohseni Nameghi discovered that he had a passion for teaching.
“During my Ph.D. studies, I was a teaching assistant. Unexpectedly, I become aware of an unnoticed talent in myself. I was able to relate to students’ prior knowledge and fill the gaps in their education. I found teaching is a process rather than a product or an assessment or a grade. I decided to become a professor. I love my job and my students,” said Nameghi, of Windsor.
Mathematics: the science behind any order in life
A native of Iran, Nameghi discovered at an early age that he had an aptitude for science and mathematics.
“I always loved mathematics and saw it as the science behind any order in life. For example, you can formulate the delicate flight of a fly or the formation of ice crystals with mathematics. I was additionally interested in problem-solving, cars, and airplanes,” he explained.
Nameghi earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology in Tehran, Iran; his master’s degree in energy systems engineering from Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran; and his doctoral degree in environmental engineering from the University of Windsor in Canada. He completed additional coursework in industrial engineering at U-Windsor as well.
Reinvigorating HFC’s pre-engineering program
When Nameghi came to HFC in 2014, the pre-engineering program was virtually dormant. It was his duty to breathe new life into it – which he did, re-establishing the program to generate student success and retention.
“Students used to transfer (away from HFC) early in the program. I appreciate the support I received from our team at HFC to implement a plan to increase program enrollment and student retention. The plan consisted of partnering with 4-year schools to transfer our courses, offering specialized mechanical and electrical engineering courses, and allocating resources and funds,” said Nameghi.
Under Nameghi’s leadership, HFC has been among the top finalists in the Community College Innovation Challenge four times: 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2021.
Proudest accomplishment at HFC
“The best part of my job at the College is the ability to come up with creative ideas and have a support system to accomplish them. For example, when we transferred to remote teaching due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were able to find great ways to practice teamwork and hands-on activities in a virtual setting,” he said. “One of the challenges we face is the marching advancement in technology and our desire to stay with its pace; therefore, we keep upgrading and updating course projects, purchasing new equipment, and creating new course materials. We have been successful.”
Nameghi mentioned his proudest accomplishment teaching at HFC.
“Our proudest accomplishment is that our team of students was among the finalists in four years of the CCIC,” he said. “Our students are No. 1. I really enjoy interacting with them as their team supervisor. Teamwork, innovation, and hands-on activities are an integral part of our teaching approach at HFC. I really enjoy the diversity we have in tools and methods of teaching.”