Mary B. Vollaro

Location Main Campus

Office BARC-1180

Directory Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Mary B. Vollaro is professor of mechanical engineering and chair of the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Industrial Engineering at Florida Polytechnic University.

Vollaro believes in the power of the “faculty team” and appreciates their efforts in delivering high-quality academic programs and striving to continuously improve the student experience and University community.

Under her leadership, Florida Poly engineering programs developed a hallmark engineering design sequence threaded through the entire curriculum with project-based learning experiences supporting student’s academic growth from freshman year through the senior capstone experience. She looks forward to kicking off the new programs, sustaining high-quality academic and research experiences for both students and faculty, and maintaining and looking forward to ABET accreditations for engineering programs.

Prior to joining Florida Poly in the fall of 2016, Vollaro was assistant, then associate professor of mechanical engineering from 1997 to 2016 at Western New England University (WNE) in Springfield, Massachusetts. While there, she was involved in university governance and chaired the Faculty Senate (twice) and the General University Requirements Committee and the Academic Standards Committee multiple times. She developed the Honors Program in the College of Engineering, as well as the Grand Challenge Scholars Program at WNE.

Vollaro has held engineering positions in industry such as research scientist, manufacturing engineer, and materials engineer. She holds one patent.

Involved with engineering education, Vollaro was chair of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Materials Division, where she continues to be active. She has written in the area of materials science education and is working on leadership and teaming activities for engineers.

Awards and Honors

STEM Teaming and Learning Award, IEOM Society International, June 2022, Recognition and Appreciation of Outstanding Leadership in STEM
Women in STEM Academic Award, Florida Polytechnic University,
March 2022, Recognition of faculty who support the advancement of women in STEM disciplines.
Nomination, Norman D. Tripp Excellence in Supporting Students Award, November 2021, as one of 29 individuals acknowledged across Florida State University System
Ablaze Awards 2020 Exemplary to Service to Others Award, “Recognizes employees or departments whose service concisely makes a significant impact within their department or among students...”, May 2020, Florida Polytechnic University

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science, Field of Metallurgy, University of Connecticut, 1996
M.S. in Metallurgy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Hartford Graduate Center, 1986
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Western New England College, 1983

Expertise

Curriculum development and leadership in STEM education
Leadership and teamwork development
Engineering education in materials science
Thin films and materials characterization
Materials selection and manufacturing processes

Professional Activities

Member, American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
Member, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ABET workshops, training, and seminars
Attended 2017 and 2023 Summer Institute on Project-Based Learning at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, June 2017/2023.
Co-Chair Organizing Committee, MEED: ASME International Mechanical Engineering Education Leadership Summit, April 2020/April 2021
Held leadership positions, Materials Division, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Materials Division, National Division Chair, Program Chair, Peer Reviewer, Session Chair ASEE Annual Conference, Materials Division and Leadership (LEAD) Division

Select Publications

Vollaro, M.B., Klein, R.R., “Completing the pass: Leadership ‘on’ and ‘in’ the field,” Proceedings of the 2016 ASEE Annual National Conference
Waters, C., Krause, S., Weeks, P., Vollaro, M.B., Dupen, B., and Callahan, J., “Revealing Student Misconceptions and Instructor Blind Spots with Muddiest Point Formative Feedback,” Proceedings of 2016 ASEE Annual National Conference
Vollaro, M.B., Klein, R.R., “Training for Leadership and Team Skills from Freshman Year Forward,” Proceedings of the 2015 ASEE Annual National Conference
Vollaro, Mary B., and Brennan, Michael, “Leveraging student’s interests in a senior design project through integration of materials selection methodology,” Proceedings of the 2014 ASEE National Conference
Vollaro, M.B., “Information Literacy as part of the Materials Science Course,” Proceedings of the 2011 ASEE Annual Conference
Vollaro, M.B., “Student Perception of a Series of Activities in a Manufacturing Processes Course,” Proceedings of the 2009 ASEE Annual National Conference
Vollaro, M.B., “Materials Selection Exercises based on Current Events,” Proceedings of the 2007 ASEE Annual National Conference
Vollaro, M.B., “Engineering Exploration for Junior Girls Scouts: Partnership, Activities, Insight, and Reflection,” Proceedings of the 2006 ASEE Annual National Conference
Vollaro, M.B., “More than Science Fair Fun: Poster Session as an Experiential Learning Activity in the Classroom,” Proceedings of the 2005 ASEE Annual National Conference
Vollaro, M.B. and Potter, D. I., “Phase Formation in Coevaporated Ni-Cr Thin Films,” Thin Solid Films, 239 (1994) 37-46.
Vollaro, M.B. and Miller, J.A., “Quality and Inspection of Brazed Joints,” American Society of Metals (ASM) Handbook, Vol. 6, Welding, Brazing and Soldering, 1993, American Society of Metals (ASM), 1117-1123.

*External, third-party sites not maintained by Florida Polytechnic University

Mary Vollaro