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Leah Figur Akins ’82 heads the department of engineering, architecture, and computer technologies at Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., part of the State University of New York system. She joined the faculty as adjunct lecturer in 1990, was promoted to associate professor in spring 2002, and became department head last fall.
Akins teaches electronics courses and an engineering/technology introductory seminar. “My favorite courses to teach are electronics I and II,” she says. “I often refer to Professor Riley, who was my electronics instructor at Lafayette, and his impact on my studies.”
After receiving a B.S. degree in electrical engineering, Akins earned a master’s in electrical engineering at Lehigh and Ph.D. in fiber optics from Drexel. “Both my master’s thesis and Ph.D. dissertation were in optics,” she says. “The subjects are really challenging theoretically.”
Akins is an active member of American Society for Engineering Education. “I am working on a more inclusive classroom to help recruit and retain underrepresented groups in engineering and technology. This means more interactions, more hands-on activities, more teamwork, and less lecture,” she says.
“A main focus is development of strong team-building and communications skills. When students recognize the importance of these skills and develop them, the classroom environment becomes more engaging and welcoming.”