Jeffrey Lee, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Jeffrey Lee's title in the fall 2025 term was teaching assistant for ME 380. In practice, for much of the term, he took on the role of course instructor. When the course instructor required emergency medical leave, Lee stepped in without hesitation. Lee maintained the curriculum, held weekly meetings with every design group and provided high-level technical feedback on fabrication and test validation throughout the term. Professor Armaghan Salehian, who nominated him for the award, said Lee's "composed demeanor and professional competence mitigated potential disruptions, allowing the class to focus on learning during a period of uncertainty."
Much of what makes Lee effective traces back to his own experience as a Mechatronics student. "I remember how intimidating it can feel to be surrounded by so many smart and hardworking people," he says. "At times, that made me hesitant to ask questions because I didn't want to seem like I was falling behind." Because of that, he works deliberately to lower the barrier by building an approachable environment where students feel comfortable raising their hand in class, stopping by office hours or sending a quick question over Teams. "Having this openness to communication allows me to respond quickly and often resolve confusion in just a few minutes, potentially saving students hours of frustration," he says.
For one student who entered MTE 380 after a long period of illness and academic uncertainty, that presence made all the difference. "It was the first time in a long time that I felt someone on a teaching team truly believed in me and wanted me to succeed," she wrote. "Being successful in MTE 380 became a major source of confidence for me heading into fourth year and beyond."