Nicole Johnson-Glauch is bringing both energy and vision to her new role as director of Cal Poly’s General Engineering program. A lecturer in the Materials Engineering Department since 2019, Johnson-Glauch is eager to build a strong community for GENE students while showcasing the program’s unique strengths.
She said her top priority is to create a thriving community for general engineering students. While the degree’s flexibility is a strength, she noted, it can also make it harder for students to build connections. Her goal is to host social and professional events throughout the year that help students form those bonds.
That work started early in fall quarter, when Johnson-Glauch organized a hands-on event for incoming freshmen during Week of Welcome. Students built “robotic arms” out of cardboard, string and popsicle sticks, then competed to see which design could grab the most snacks in a set time.
She also plans to highlight the program’s multidisciplinary nature. “Many societal problems require skills from a variety of STEM and non-STEM disciplines,” she said, adding that she hopes to establish new concentrations that prepare students to lead in areas such as computing infrastructure, sustainability and health care.
Her path to Cal Poly began in Thornton, Colorado, where she grew up before pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Illinois. She joined the College of Engineering in 2019, her first position after graduate school. Her research centers on making engineering education more inclusive and impactful.
She explained that her work looks at how professional development activities and authentic assessments in engineering courses can support student success, particularly for those from different backgrounds. “A college education profoundly impacts the lives of our students and those they go on to help in their careers,” she said.
Collaboration is a central part of her approach. Quoting the disability advocacy community, she said, “Nothing about us, without us.” Johnson-Glauch emphasized that she learns best by working alongside the students and communities her research aims to support.
This summer, she served as a faculty adviser for a new initiative called EPIC+SURP, where College of Engineering students take on dual roles as EPIC (Engineering Possibilities in College) counselors and SURP (Summer Undergraduate Research Program) student researchers. The project studies the effectiveness of the EPIC program, giving students the chance to impact their community while also building professional skills.
When asked about her favorite part of the job, she didn’t hesitate. “Oh, definitely the students,” she said. “Their energy and excitement are infectious. They give me a lot of hope for our future.”
Outside the classroom, Johnson-Glauch enjoys hiking, reading and gardening. A favorite trail, Broderson Peak Lookout in Los Osos, reminds her of “The Lord of the Rings” with its shaded twists before opening to sweeping ocean views. She’s also an avid reader, logging more than 60 books this year alone, with favorites including “Babel” by R.F. Kuang and “Chip War” by Chris Miller.
For Johnson-Glauch, stepping into the director role is both a responsibility and a joy. “I’m thrilled and honored to be the director of General Engineering!” she said.
