Mary Vollaro

Dr. Mary B. Vollaro is professor of mechanical engineering and a former department chair.

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.