Glenn Ellis

Glenn Ellis is a civil engineer with a strong interest in reforming engineering education to meet the demands and opportunities of the knowledge age. Much of his current research is focused on designing undergraduate engineering learning environments that support deep learning and innovation. However, he also believes that reforming engineering education—and the role of women in engineering—needs to start well before the college level. To help meet this need, Ellis works extensively with K–12 educators. With the support of the National Science Foundation, he has led the development of the Through My Window educational website for middle school children.

In 2007 Glenn Ellis received the U.S. Professor of the Year Award for Baccalaureate Colleges from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the only national award for excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring.

At Princeton University, Ellis used stochastic processes in his research to model earthquake ground motion. At Clarkson University he expanded this work to include using artificial neural networks to look at a variety of mechanical and environmental systems (one of the earliest applications of artificial neural networks in the field of civil engineering). During the course of his career, Ellis has increasingly focused his research on engineering education—particularly the creation of learning environments that support knowledge building, the use of cognitive tools to engage students and frame understanding, and the development of assessment approaches that better measure deep learning.

Ellis also has taught at the United States Air Force Academy and conducted earthquake engineering research at the Kajima Corporation in Japan. At the secondary school level, Ellis has experience in administration, teaching and curriculum development that includes positions at St. Paul's School and Brunswick School.

Ellis has two sons and enjoys the beauty, ideals and culture of the Pioneer Valley. He believes strongly in the ethical treatment of animals. He likes to spend time outdoors, draw, play guitar with his sons, and hike with his dogs in his spare time.

Selected Publications

Ellis, G.W. and Zhang, Y. (2016) The Development of 21st Century Skills in the Knowledge Building Environment, International Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 32, No. 3(A), 1160-1170.

Rudnitsky, A., Ellis, G., Mikic, B. (2016) Knowledge Building and Higher Education, Leading Student Achievement: Networks for Learning (LSA), Vol. 3.

Ellis, G.W., Rudnitsky, A., McGinnis-Cavanaugh, B., Huff, I., Ellis, S.K. (2015) Designing a Multimedia Learning Environment that Engages Children Through Narrative, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Seattle, WA, June 14–17.

Ellis, G.W., Ipesa-Balogun, H.A., Yu, Y., Zhang, Y., Jiang, X. (2014) Developing a Learner-Centered Classroom through Collaborative Knowledge Building, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Indianapolis, IN, June 15–18.

Rudnitsky, A., Ellis, G.W., Shea, K., DiBartolo, P. (2013) Professional Development in a Liberal Arts Setting, To Improve the Academy, Vol. 32, 127–144.

Selected Honors and Awards

• Professor of the Year Award, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
• Sherrerd Prize for Distinguished Teaching, Smith College
• Outstanding New Teacher Award, Clarkson University
• Tau Beta Pi Faculty Award, Clarkson University