Dean Alleyne Visits TLI, Chats About the Future of Tech Education

Dean of the College of Science and Engineering Dr. Andrew Alleyne visited TLI Wednesday at a lively and well-attended meet-and-greet with staff. While the event was billed as an informal coffee, there were many questions that staff and faculty members had for Dr. Alleyne, particularly surrounding the future of technical education in the country. The Dean seemed just as happy to learn more about the Institute and the roles played by the staff, many of whom have come aboard in the last two years. 

TLI Director Allison Hubel kicked off the discussion by thanking Dean Alleyne for his support for the institute's mission and his keen interest in reshaping the future of technological learning at the undergraduate and graduate level. She spoke with pride about the work that TLI staff has been doing to improve the reach and relevance of the Institute not only in the community, but across the country as well. Each member of the staff and faculty was then introduced and spoke about their role and how they are helping to add to TLI's 36-year educational legacy. 

Some of the most recent additions to the TLI crew represent the Center for Medical Device Cybersecurity (CMDC) and UNITE distributed learning, entities which recently joined forces with TLI. 

Everyone in attendance was engaged and interested in the discussion. Dean Alleyne, eschewing his customary suit-and-tie in favor of a more casual look, spoke about how the future of technological education is likely to change at the undergraduate and graduate level, and that institutions like the University of Minnesota will need to prepare for the needs and expectations of future students. He seemed quite interested in TLI's expanded work both in graduate certificates -- such as the newest one in electrification --  and the new undergraduate minor in technological leadership that was only introduced in 2023. 

Dean Alleyne has been a familiar site around TLI of late. He was on hand to celebrate TLI's partnership with Thermo King in the creation of the aforementioned graduate certificate in electrification, and spoke at last year's 35th anniversary celebration of the founding of the institute.