Skip to content Skip to main navigation Report an accessibility issue

Women with Big Ideas: Stephanie TerMaath


Termaath“Teaching is something that I have always wanted to do; it’s my dream job,” said Stephanie TerMaath, assistant professor in the College of Engineering.

After a twelve-year venture across the country, TerMaath returned to academia in 2012 when she joined UT’s faculty. Prior to her current position, TerMaath worked in North Carolina managing a physics-based computing group atApplied Research Associates . Before moving to North Carolina, TerMaath lived and worked in California and Texas.

“Having worked at different places and in several cities, I was able to build a network which has been beneficial to my students,” she said.

In 2013, TerMaath took a group of students to California to visit Boeing, where TerMaath previously worked. While there, students toured the facility and learned about the operations of Boeing and available job opportunities. TerMaath plans to continue to take her students on field trips that will expose them to a variety of career opportunities in engineering.

“There is nothing more important than exposing students to available opportunities and helping them to realize their dreams and goals,” TerMaath said. “I tell students that they need to be an expert in a core area while concurrently developing a broad understanding of engineering. This educational background will enable them to be a valuable member on the multidisciplinary teams that will solve the challenges facing our world.”

TerMaath’s commitment to her students’ success led her to develop a pilot project that provides an integrated education encompassing hands-on training and professional preparation for women pursuing advanced degrees in engineering. In early 2014, TerMaath helped lead three of her students to compete and place in national and regional research conferences.

“Having a support network is crucial,” TerMaath said. “Several of my students have decided to receive advanced degrees because of the mentoring relationship I was able to build with them.”

In February TerMaath helped lead three of her students to compete and place in national research and writing conferences. At the 2014 TSLAMP (Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation) Undergraduate Research Conference in Nashville, one of her students won second place for best engineering research.

“She was only a sophomore. Mentoring and support really does work,” TerMaath said. “It’s truly exciting to watch my students blossom. There is nothing more rewarding.”

CONTACT:

Office of the Provost

865-974-2445

For more information, visit Women with Big Ideas.