Beloved architectural engineering professor, Jim Mitchell, joined the Drexel faculty in 1988 as an associate professor immediately following a career of 15 years as an architect, including holding the position of principal at two design firms. He earned a BA in applied physics and an MS in fluid mechanics from Harvard University, and a master’s in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout his time at Drexel, he has been a passionate advocate for exceptional teaching, a champion of undergraduate engineering students. He previously served as the interim department head of CAEE and is the long-time developer and director of the architectural engineering program. He is the founder and former co-director of the Faculty Development Center, the precursor to today’s Teaching and Learning Center. Mitchell has twice served as associate dean of undergraduate affairs for the College, most recently from 2015 to 2019. He has earned a number of awards at Drexel, including a College of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award (2013), College of Engineering Outstanding Teaching Award (2004), Drexel University Senior Faculty Award, Undergraduate Level (Teaching Excellence – 2002), and Drexel University Award for Outstanding Service to the University (2001).
I had the opportunity to sit down via zoom with Professor Mitchell to talk with him about his retirement and his career at Drexel.
Q: Why did you pick the year 2020 to retire?
A. I felt as though I achieved most of what I thought I could. I helped build the architectural engineering program, I held several senior level positions and there are no more challenges with which I could assist. I also felt that I might be beginning to get a bit stale in the classroom.
Q: What was your favorite course to teach at Drexel?
A. I have enjoyed almost all of the courses I've taught at Drexel but I put my stamp on AE 390 and 391 "Architectural Engineering Design I and II". I am happily leaving them in the capable hands of Professor Simi Hoque, who will take over this course.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your experiences with Senior Design?
A. There are teams that have done extraordinary work, some on the national level. With Senior Design, I have had the pleasure of seeing my students pull together as a team, take on professional world challenges and recognize that they do not learn everything in the classroom. They have also shown that they have mastered many different aspects of our profession such as analyzing and explaining their projects to those who are not experts and using a very comprehensive approach.
Q: What do you feel are some of your greatest accomplishments at Drexel?
A. I feel a strong sense of satisfaction and pride in building the architectural engineering program and a delight at seeing students grow and graduate doing things that looked impossible four years before.
Q: As Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, what were your biggest challenges and what was most rewarding.
A. Significant curricular changes were made to improve the curriculum for engineering students. Also, we improved the advising system by coordinating effectively. Seeing us through yet another ABET cycle was worthwhile, if not enjoyable.
Q: Is there a co-worker from the past or present you admire? Why?
Dr. Edward Doheny, the former Engineering Geology professor in the CAEE taught me how to deal with students who had academic difficulty. He was a wonderful mentor, as well as one of the best story tellers I’ve met.
Dr. Richard Woodring, the former Dean, when I came to CAEE, gave me the confidence to leave my architectural firm to come to Drexel. He really understood how to be a Dean, to encourage, to demand, to listen, and to act.
I am so grateful to so many people at Drexel. Dr. Joe Martin helped me obtain tenure. I am grateful to Joe Hughes, Trish Gallagher, Michael Waring, Jin Wen, Chuck Haas, and many, many others.
Q: Do you have any advice for current or future architectural engineering students?
A. Do not become an architectural engineer for the money. Do it because this is a field you want to be involved with for the rest of your life.
You can go home at night thinking you did something to make the world a better place. That’s a wonderful feeling.
Q: Do you have plans to remain engaged on campus, maybe teaching part-time or mentoring students?
A. Yes. I hope to do something meaningful. I will not teach a regular class but will perhaps do some guest lecturing. I may continue to be involved with the Drexel Teaching Academy. I will also continue to contribute some things in CASTLE.
Q: For many faculty, retirement can be filled with mixed emotions. How are you feeling right now?
A. I feel very fortunate to not have to live through more of this immensely difficult time, the middle of a pandemic with it’s great pressure on students, faculty, staff and the leadership at Drexel.
Q: What will you miss the most when you leave Drexel?
A. Although I enjoyed being an Associate Dean working with an incredibly good group of advisors and faculty, what I will miss most is teaching and working with students. The continuing rewards of seeing them grow and enter life as young professionals kept me intellectually and emotionally engaged every day.
“I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have been a part of Drexel for 31 years,” reflects Mitchell. “My colleagues, and most especially my students, have supported and delighted me throughout.”
