Shaping the Future of Engineering — with Dr. Ivan Esparragoza

This is a powerful episode. Welcome back to Jaunted Wisdom! In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Ivan Esparragoza — a name that carries tremendous weight in the world of engineering education and innovation. Dr. Esparragoza is a Professor of Engineering at Penn State and serves as the Assistant Dean for Curricular Innovation and Program Assessment in the College of Engineering.He’s dedicated his career to preparing the next generation of engineers to think globally, act sustainably, and collaborate across borders. From his roots in Colombia at Universidad del Norte to his graduate studies at Florida International University, Dr. Esparragoza’s journey is filled with purpose and passion.We talk about what drives his teaching philosophy, how he’s helped transform engineering curricula, and why sustainability and international collaboration are essential for the future. You’ll hear stories from his leadership roles in organizations like ASEE, IFEES, and LACCEI, and the lessons he’s learned along the way as a true global connector in his field.This conversation dives deep into education, innovation, and the human side of engineering — the passion behind the progress. Dr. Esparragoza’s wisdom reminds us that great teaching doesn’t just build better engineers; it builds better people.