Reflecting on the impact of the CEMS External Advisory Board

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (09/29/2026) — Established in 2016, the CEMS External Advisory Board (EAB) was created to strengthen the department’s engagement with external partners and provide guidance on key areas including curriculum, student training, faculty hiring, fundraising, alumni outreach, and long-term strategy. Over the years, its membership has included senior leaders from across industry, along with academic partners from peer institutions.

Former Department Head Dan Frisbie reflects on the Board’s impact, noting, “We heard from the board about their need for engineers trained in data science, machine learning, and AI. Those conversations ultimately helped shape new directions in our curriculum and faculty hiring.”

He continues, “I have always found the board eager and willing to think about our current challenges and to share theirs. This exchange continues to be empowering for both sides.”

In addition to influencing the data science initiatives the department has established in recent years, the EAB has helped shape the curriculum by providing industry perspectives that inform how CEMS prepares students for the next step in their careers.

Professor and Executive Officer for the Materials Science and Engineering program Russ Holmes shared the integral role the EAB played in shaping the department’s recent addition of two minors:

“In order to offer students in CEMS and broader CSE a more interdisciplinary education, we developed plans over the last year to create two new minor programs in chemical engineering and materials science and engineering. As we developed these new potential programs, it was essential to better understand how students with minors in chemical engineering or materials science and engineering might be better positioned to compete for positions in industry after graduation. The EAB was instrumental in providing this essential input, sharing that students holding the minor would not only have useful interdisciplinary training but also show employers a willingness to continue learning across boundaries.”

Thanks to the support of the EAB, students will be able to begin these new minors as early as the Spring 2027 semester, with some students already applying.

 For Lynn Frostman, who has served on the EAB since 2018 and as its chair from 2022 to 2026, the value of the board extends beyond any individual initiative. She sees its role as helping CEMS stay connected to the changes shaping the field and the engineering workforce:

“As our profession evolves through advances in AI, data science, sustainability, and workforce transformation, the role of the EAB is to help ensure the department remains not just responsive to change, but positioned to lead it. By bringing together diverse perspectives from industry and academia, the board helps CEMS prepare graduates to thrive in an increasingly data-driven, multidisciplinary, and rapidly-changing world. It has been an honor to serve alongside such an accomplished group of colleagues, and I am excited to see the department continue building on that strong foundation.”

Beyond advising the department, serving on the EAB also provides industry leaders with an opportunity to contribute to academia and help shape the next generation of engineers. Cordell Hardy, the incoming chair of the EAB, shared what he has found most rewarding about serving on the board:

“I am excited to serve as the incoming Chair of the CEMS External Advisory Board at a time when the importance of chemical engineering and materials science has never been clearer. Whether addressing challenges in sustainability, health, energy, manufacturing, or food systems, our disciplines continue to shape the future. Before looking ahead, I also want to recognize and thank Lynn Frostman for her outstanding leadership as Chair and her many contributions to the board and the department over the years.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence only reinforces the need for strong partnerships between industry and academia as we prepare students for careers that will require both deep technical expertise and adaptability. AI is changing how we discover, design, analyze, and solve problems, and it is creating new opportunities for engineers and scientists to deliver impact at unprecedented speed and scale.

What makes CEMS especially powerful – beyond the spectacular people involved - is the combination of chemical engineering and materials science within a single department, creating opportunities for collaboration and innovation at the boundaries of traditional disciplines. I look forward to working with faculty, students, alumni, and fellow board members to help the department remain agile, connected to industry, and positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The future is exceptionally bright for CEMS, and I am honored to play a small role in helping the department continue to meet the moment and prepare the next generation of engineering leaders.”

The guidance and partnership of the EAB have helped ensure that CEMS remains responsive to the evolving needs of industry. We are deeply grateful for the board’s continued commitment to the department and the CEMS community. Their expertise and engagement help foster excellence, strengthen collaboration, and ensure that our students are prepared for the evolving challenges and opportunities facing chemical and materials engineers.