2025 IEEE Vice President, Educational Activities

Timothy Kurzweg

Vice President, Educational Activities 

Dr. Timothy Kurzweg is director of the School of Engineering at Penn State Behrend, and professor of electrical and computer engineering.

He previously served as vice provost for undergraduate education at Drexel University, in Philadelphia, PA. Kurzweg, an expert in optical microsystems and alternative materials for electronics and antennas, also directed the university’s bachelor of science in engineering program, a unique degree for students who want to pursue engineering as a field while still exploring coursework in other academic disciplines.

Kurzweg holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He has a bachelor’s degree from Penn State.

He has served as principal or co-principal investigator for approximately $9.5 million in funded research and has published more than 80 journal and conference papers. He also holds multiple patents.

Kurzweg’s research, which has applications in bio-sensing, communications, and medical imaging, has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and private industry.

At Penn State Behrend, Kurzweg leads an engineering school with 1,600 students and a top-30 national ranking, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Significant IEEE Activities

I have had significant experience across the IEEE. Since 2022, I have been the Educational Activities Treasurer, and therefore, have been a member FinCom.  I was on the Board of Directors in 2015-16, as I was the Region 2 Director. I was the Chair of the New Initiative Committee from 2016-18, and in this time was able to restructure how NIC awarded, administered, and assessed the NIC grants. I was very proud of this work. As Region 2 Director, I sat on the MGA Boards, as well as the IEEE-USA board. For the last 8 years, I have sat on the EA Board. I was the IEEE-HKN President in 2017. All of these experiences have prepared me to be the VP of Educational Activities.

A list of my IEEE Leadership Positions:

IEEE EAB, 2017-Present

IEEE EA Treasurer, 2022-Present

IEEE FinCom, 2022-Present

Chair, FinCom Adhoc FOM Updates, 2023

IEEE Governance Committee, 2019-22

Chair, Working Group Committee Review, Industry Engagement Committee, 2023

Member, Working Group Committee Review, ECBB, 2023

IEEE EA URC, Chair, 2019-21

IEEE NIC (New Initiative Committee), Chair, 2016-2018

IEEE-HKN President, 2017

IEEE-HKN President-Elect, Past President, 2016, 2018

IEEE Board of Directors, 2015-16

IEEE Region 2 Director, 2015-16

IEEE Region 2 Director Elect, Past Director, 2013-2014, 2017-18

IEEE Awards and Recognition Committee 2016

EAB Awards and Recognition Committee (ARC), 2016

IEEE-USA Board of Directors, 2015-16

IEEE-MGA Board of Directors, 2015-16

IEEE-HKN Board of Governors, 2013-2015

MGA Awards and Recognition Committee (ARC), Member, 2013-14

EAB Awards and Recognition Committee (ARC), Member, 2012

Educational Activities Board, Member, 2012

Chair, EAB Strategic Planning Committee (SPC), 2012

New Initiatives Committee (NIC), Member, 2009-2011, 2013-2014

IEEE Conferences Committee, Member, 2009-2011

Chair, IEEE Conferences Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee, 2011

Chair, IEEE Operations Manual Ad Hoc Committee, 2011

IEEE-HKN Transition Team, Working Group B (Student Branch-Chapter Relationship), Member, 2009

IEEE Committee on Earth Observation, Member, 2008-2011

Educational Activities Board (EAB), Editorial Board for Engineering, Technology and Computing Porta

Relevant Experience

Being a part of the Education Activates Board for the past 8 years, I have been part of what seems like a revival of Education Activities within IEEE.  I have seen new innovative programs, such as the Summer Institutes, and financial sustainability efforts, in continuing education efforts and the creation of the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).  As the Chair of the EA University Resources Committee (URC), we have redefined the URC mission and impact.  As an EA Board Member, I have asked for metrics (financial and staff time) that allowed the Board to make strategic decisions in terms of priorities.  I know that I could continue in the strategic paths that past VPs have positioned for EA.  However, I have enough experience in leading that I will be able to assess and create new paths when necessary.  From 2022-24 year, I have served as the EA Treasurer which has allowed me access and understanding of the finances of EA.  As the Treasurer of EA, I also serve on the IEEE FinCom, which has informed me on all the finances of IEEE. I was part of FinCom that reviewed and changed the FOM regarding the 2023 Committee to review Alternate Assessment of Educational Activities.

Why should we select you to serve in this position?

My IEEE experience encompasses the two key aspects of this role:  VP of Education Activities as well as a member of the Board of Directors.  For the VP of EA, I have a strong experience in Education Activities, sitting on the Board since 2017.  I have participated in new initiatives that have been created in my time on the board.  I believe my greatest strength in the board was asking the right questions, such that we could make data driven decisions and prioritizations.  Serving as the EA Treasurer from 2022-24 has allowed me access and understanding of the finances of EA, as well as serving on FinCom to understand the IEEE financial health.  I feel that this information is very important for the VP to have and understand, especially as Education becomes a strategic focus for IEEE and the funding of Educational Activities continues to be re-examined beyond just part of member dues.

Sitting on the IEEE Board of Directors for 2015-16, I know the time and effort that it takes to be a good Board member.  I have participated in IEEE strategic planning, and I am committed to ensuring that the IEEE is on a path towards a very bright future.  

It is the combination of my BoD and EAB experience that makes my uniquely qualified for this position of VP of Educational Activities.

Position Statement

Through strategic planning and action plans, EA has redefined itself within IEEE.  EA has kept what it does really well, including TryEngineering, Pre-University education, and ABET, has been brave enough to sunset programs that were not working, and has branched and expanded into new projects like Summer Institutes, University Resources, and the IEEE Learning Network.  Funding of Education Activities came into focus last year through the Alternative Funding Ad Hoc Committee, and some progress has been made.  However, this focus needs to continue, even though Educational Activities continues to become financially independent through Continuing Education Products.   As an Educational Activities Board member for the last 8 years, I have been dedicated to keeping the successful parts of EA on track, but confident to steer EA in new, impactful directions.  As VP,  I will continue to lead in these impactful directions.  I am realistic enough to know you can’t do everything in the educational space across the IEEE.  I am committed to strategize and prioritize, and for whatever projects that we make the priority, we will make them exceptional. 

There are still opportunities for EA to grow.  IEEE has embraced and focused on Education over the past few years.  Continued collaboration across the different IEEE OUs would benefit all of IEEE.  My experience on EA has shown that the size and attitude of EA allows for nimble and flexible collaboration.  

I am confident I am the right leader at the right time for Educational Activities.