BCoE Student Hall of Fame 2022: Soundouss Sassi

What is your name, classification and major?

My name is Soundouss Sassi. I’m a Ph.D. candidate in engineering education.

What year did you begin studying at MSU and when is your expected graduation date?

I started at MSU in 2015, where I did masters in aerospace engineering and graduated in December 2016, then started my Ph.D. in engineering education. My expected graduation is December 2022.

Why did you choose to attend MSU, and why did you choose an engineering field of study?

At first, I chose to attend MSU because of the partnership between UIR and MSU. However, I decided to stay and get my Ph.D. at MSU because it was one of the very few universities that offered an engineering education program with some of the most distinguished professors: Dr. Jean Mohammadi-Aragh and Dr. Rani Sullivan.

What are your favorite campus organizations you have become a part of?

I loved being part of the Moroccan students’ organization and attending the international fiesta day on campus.

What has been your favorite course you have taken at MSU and why?

That’s a tie between Pedagogy and Assessment in Engineering Ed, and Failure of Engineering materials.

Which course has been your most challenging at MSU and why? What was something you learned about yourself after taking that course?

The most challenging course was Computational Fluid Dynamic 1, because it was my very first engineering course in the US, and I had to adjust to the American Educational System quickly. That course taught me how to think outside the box. I learned that I only give a 100% if I genuinely enjoy what I’m doing and if I can see a real-life application to my work.

What is one thing you have learned, related to engineering, during your time in the Bagley College of Engineering?

I truly learned a lot during my time at Bagley College of Engineering. It made me into the researcher I am today. But if I had to choose the one thing I’ve learned, it’s how to be a critical thinker, a skeptic, and look for evidence.

How has MSU and specifically the department of engineering prepared you for professional life after college?

The Bagley College if Engineering gave me the tools to be a better communicator through various conferences where I had to present my research. I learned how to have confidence in what I’m saying. That reflects in the way I talk to recruiters, and thanks to that, I got two internships.

What are your plans after graduation?

My plan after graduation is to continue down the path of User Experience Research. It’s a very exciting field where I get to apply everything I learned daily.

What will you miss most about MSU after you graduate?

I will certainly miss campus, which I already do because I’m away on an internship. I will miss interacting with my advisors and coworkers weekly. They became a second family, a support system, and the people I go to if I need any advice.