Duck Diaries: Stevens Faculty Inspire Excellence and Possibility for Students
Across Stevens, our exceptional faculty engage and mentor students, inspiring them to achieve their full potential and explore new possibilities for their future. In classrooms, labs, senior projects, organizations, clubs and discussions outside of class, professors help create dynamic learning environments where students feel motivated to ask questions, take risks and grow as leaders. Our faculty’s commitment to student success shapes the Stevens experience in meaningful ways. Stevens professors do incredible work every day. Read more about how our students have been inspired and supported by faculty, in their own words.
Patrick Chester, Assistant Professor, Quantitative Social Science
School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
By Jeremy Roller, Class of 2027, mechanical engineering major
In my curriculum, I have enrolled in a majority of highly technical courses in design, math and engineering. I enjoy these classes, as they are relevant toward my discipline and future career pursuits. However, one part of my college education at a technical institution that surprisingly had an impact on me is my humanities classes.
Last semester, I needed to fulfill one of my upper-level humanities requirements, so I decided to enroll in HSS-379, International Politics. World relations and politics are subjects I have been interested in for a long time, as I’m a huge geography and history nerd. However, it was an interest I thought I wouldn’t have time to explore in my engineering curriculum. I really enjoyed the course, and it has greatly diversified and enhanced my educational experience here at Stevens.
The professor of this course, Professor Patrick Chester, has profoundly inspired me. From the first day, his class was highly engaging and thought-provoking. Professor Chester regularly provided a space for students to openly explore new ideas and develop their own through class discussions. We also frequently conducted simulations based on real-world international affairs. For example, our class was split into two groups, and we were tasked with representing either the United States or China in the 2017 trade war. This allowed us to use what we had learned in class in practice to better understand the factors and inner workings of international relations and conflicts, and the motivations and disagreements within each party.
Professor Chester is clearly passionate about what he teaches at Stevens. The discussions really helped us think about and question what we know about the world. Frequently at the end of class, my classmates and I would leave the building still talking about our discussion topic. I think that is profound, as it shows the genuine interest and engagement that we developed in the material. Overall, Professor Chester and his involvement in the Stevens community have genuinely inspired me to pick up an old interest and learn more about the world we live in today.
Joelle Saad-Lessler, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Division
School of Business
Jorge Medina, Senior Lecturer, Economics
School of Business
By Camila Crespo, Class of 2026, Business and Technology
Professor Joelle Saad-Lessler and Professor Jorge Medina are both stellar economics professors who go out of their way to support and meet with students, even after the course ends. They are always reachable and genuinely care for their students both inside and outside of class. I have contacted Professor Saad-Lessler for resources and guidance, and she's been immensely helpful. Professor Medina has always been very easy to talk to and dedicates a lot of time to making sure students are getting the best learning experience. They are both great assets to the Stevens community.
Bethany Reeves, Music Program Coordinator and Choir Director
DeBaun Performing Arts Center
By Madeleina Gorri, Class of 2027, environmental engineering major
Dr. Bethany Reeves is a professor who combines extraordinary expertise with authenticity. My first impression was that she was both deeply knowledgeable and completely genuine — a “no-nonsense” professor who still made the room feel creative and safe. Her ability to discuss vocal technique, musical history and literature with equal depth made it clear that she was not only a conductor but a true scholar of music. That combination of intelligence, passion and quirky personality made her unforgettable from the start.
Dr. Reeves has strengthened my confidence as both a performer and a learner. She treats students like capable artists, not just participants, which pushes me to take my work seriously. Her honest feedback delivered with respect has helped me trust my abilities and aim higher. She has also shown me that discipline and creativity can coexist, changing how I approach challenges both in music and in other areas of my life.
Her teaching is unique because it blends scientific understanding of the voice with artistic interpretation. She explains why techniques work physiologically, not just how to do them. Rehearsals are engaging because they feel purposeful and every correction connects to a larger musical goal. She challenges students intellectually and artistically, making the learning process both rigorous and meaningful. She is always so welcoming to singers of all levels.
Dr. Reeves raises the standard for musical excellence on campus while also fostering a strong sense of community within ensembles. Students leave her classes with a deeper appreciation for music as an academic discipline, not just an extracurricular activity. Her leadership likely inspires many students to continue participating in the arts and to value the role of music in campus culture. The most impactful lesson is that true mastery requires both knowledge and integrity. Dr. Reeves demonstrates that being serious about your craft does not mean losing individuality. I will carry forward her emphasis on preparation, intellectual curiosity and artistic honesty in whatever paths I pursue after graduation.
Zahra Pournorouz, Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science
By Rohan Parameswar, Class of 2029, computer science major
Professor Zahra Pournorouz was my instructor in the First-Year Experience course, and she helped me navigate the challenging transition from high school to university. Her enthusiasm and helpful tips about opportunities have helped direct me on the type of life I want to lead.
The most important lesson I learned from her is to be curious. Embracing this mindset, I began to step out of my comfort zone and explore everything Stevens has to offer. It led me to develop new passions for hobbies, like bowling, and introduced me to diverse groups whose unique experiences challenge my own. With Professor Pournorouz’s teachings, I’ve been able to build a much richer and more active life on campus than I imagined.
Christopher Sugino, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science
By Matthew Bazer, Class of 2026, mechanical engineering major
Professor Christopher Sugino of the mechanical engineering department is the professor for multiple vibrations-based classes here at Stevens, and he also runs his vibrations-based lab. I have unfortunately not had the pleasure of taking any of Professor Sugino’s classes, but I have been lucky to have him as my advisor for my senior design project for the past two semesters. Professor Sugino has been a significant help with our project, always making sure everything is up to speed and helping wherever he can. He has recommended books, research and software, assisted us through problems and so much more.
The first time I met Professor Sugino was at the end of my third year. I was very nervous as it was a meeting with my senior design group to ask if he would be interested in serving as our advisor for our project. We knew it would be a lot of work for him because we decided to create a new project instead of a legacy project. But just one minute into the meeting, I was already relaxed. Professor Sugino was kind, encouraging and understanding about our project, and he was very excited about working with us. He even helped us to better define our project. By using his personal experiences, he helped us to move our project from an undetermined piezoelectric device to a piezoelectric bike accessory because he rides his bike to campus every day and thought it would be fun to have a project aligned with his multiple passions.
Every weekly meeting with Professor Sugino is extremely helpful, and we always leave with our questions answered and excitement for the continuation of our project. Our meetings always feel lighthearted and usually end with us chatting about our lives once we have completed our meeting agenda.
Being in this senior design group with Professor Sugino as our advisor has been an incredible experience. I could not image having made so much progress as smoothly as we did without having the help of our amazing advisor, Professor Sugino.
Rosana Cabán, Teaching Assistant Professor, Music and Technology
School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
By Lindsey Thompson, Class of 2028, music and technology major
Rosana Cabán is the faculty advisor of the Stevens Women in Music club. Despite her busy schedule, she goes out of her way to contribute ideas, events and guest speakers to the club. She provides excellent feedback on projects and is always willing to discuss outside of class.
This professor is an absolute asset to the music and technology faculty and leaves her mark on every student she teaches.
Stevens professors inspire students each and every day and the Stevens community is grateful for our outstanding faculty whose exceptional dedication and impact elevate the student experience and for our generous supporters who empower their work through philanthropy.
If you have a story about a Stevens professor who inspired you, please share it with us to celebrate the meaningful impact they’ve had on your journey!
