Strayhorn Secures Prestigious EOP Grant to Drive Sustainability in Engineering and STEM Education

February 25, 2025

Virginia Union University (VUU) has achieved a significant milestone in its journey toward academic excellence and innovation. Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, a distinguished Professor of Education and Psychology, has been awarded a prestigious Engineering for One Planet (EOP) grant by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Backed by the Lemelson Foundation, this grant promises to transform VUU’s engineering and STEM programs by embedding sustainability principles into the curriculum, shaping the future of engineering education.

The excitement surrounding this achievement is palpable. The EOP grant is a competitive initiative designed to empower faculty across the nation to revolutionize engineering education by incorporating sustainability into both research and curriculum. VUU’s groundbreaking project will focus on equipping its diverse student body with the tools and knowledge to address global challenges, ensuring sustainability becomes a cornerstone of their professional practice. Environmental, social, and business sustainability will take center stage, preparing VUU students to lead the charge in creating a more sustainable future. 

“This award is a testament to Dr. Strayhorn’s visionary approach and his commitment to impactful research,” said Sarah DeLeeuw of ASEE. Among over 100 applicants, Strayhorn’s proposal stood out as one of only 14 projects to receive funding this year. His thoughtful, intentional plan to embed sustainability into education and make a lasting impact at VUU placed his project among the elite few selected for Cohort 3 of the EOP program. 

The grant will fund a host of initiatives, including cutting-edge research on the learning experiences, motivation, and sense of belonging of pre-engineering and STEM students. These insights will inform innovative curriculum redesign efforts, spearheaded by Dr. Francis Mensah, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences. Additionally, the VUU team will engage with a national virtual community of practice and mentorship program led by ASEE, ensuring that their work aligns with best practices and benefits from a collaborative network of experts. 

Dr. Strayhorn, the Principal Investigator, expressed his enthusiasm for the transformative potential of this project. “This is the kind of translational science that’s needed to strengthen engineering education, protect our planet, and improve lives,” he shared. Strayhorn highlighted plans to develop engaging teaching methods, train faculty, and incorporate experiential learning opportunities like externships, internships, and innovative sustainability initiatives such as “No Print Days.” These efforts aim to create a dynamic learning environment where students are empowered to address the world’s most pressing challenges. 

By integrating the EOP Framework into its dual-degree engineering curriculum, VUU is not only preparing its students to lead but also aligning with the university’s strategic priorities of academic excellence, student success, and global impact. This achievement marks a new chapter in VUU’s legacy of fostering innovation and leadership, inspiring excitement and hope for a brighter, more sustainable future.