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Homero Murzi, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Homero Murzi
359 Goodwin Hall (MC 0218)
635 Prices Fork Rd
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Education

Ph.D. Engineering Education, Virginia Tech, 2016
M.B.A. focus on Human Resources, Temple University, 2013
M.S. Industrial Engineering, National Experimental University of Tachira, Venezuela, 2009
B.S. Industrial Engineering, National Experimental University of Tachira, Venezuela, 2003

Teaching/Courses Taught

Contemporary Pedagogy (GRAD5114) 
Practicum in Engineering Classroom (ENGE5504) 
Global STEM Practice: Leadership and Culture (ENGE1644)
Foundations of Engineering (ENGE 1215)

Research Interests

  • Culturally relevant teaching and learning
  • Latinx/é, Indigenous, and International Engineering Education
  • Emotions in Engineering
  • Global engineering competencies

Research Statement

I am interested in understanding how we can promote effective and culturally relevant learning environments that can promote the sustainable competencies engineering students require to succeed in the contemporary workforce. My goal is to develop engineering education practices that value the capital that traditionally marginalized students, specially Latinx and Indigenous, bring into the field. I aspire to change discourses around broadening participation in engineering and promoting action to change.

Biography

Homero Murzi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the National Experimental University of Táchira in Venezuela, a master’s in business administration from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Virginia Tech. Before coming to the United States, Homero was an Associate Professor in Industrial Engineering at the National Experimental University of Táchira in Venezuela, where he taught courses in engineering management, business administration, and pedagogy. In addition, he held different administrative positions like Human Resources Director and Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning.

Dr. Murzi has worked internationally in higher education since 2004. Dr. Murzi has several years of industry experience in manufacturing engineering and talent management. Upon completion of his doctoral degree, Dr. Murzi worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Queensland in Australia where he currently holds an Honorary Faculty position. Dr. Murzi’s goal is to make engineering education better by promoting inclusive and effective learning environments that prepare students for the complex engineering workforce.

Selected Awards & Honors

  • Recipient of the 2020 Best Paper Award Engineering Leadership Development Division. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference
    Recipient of the 2019 Diggs Teaching Award. Virginia Tech
  • Recipient of the “Understanding China” cultural fellowship 2016-2017. Confucius Institute, University of Queensland, Australia.
  • Inducted Edward Alexander Bouchet Honor Society 2016, Yale University
  • Recipient of the Fulbright Faculty Development Program 2011 – 2013. Administered by Harvard Organization LASPAU
  • Recipient of the UN Recognition for the agreement between UNET (Universidad del Táchira) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 2010

Selected Recent Publications

Froehle, K., Phillips, A., & Murzi, H. (in-press) Lifelong Learning is an Ethical Responsibility of Professional Engineers: Is School Preparing Young Engineers for Lifelong Learning? Journal of Civil Engineering Education

Ozkan, D. S., Davis, K. A., Davis, J. C., James, M., Murzi, H., & Knight, D. B. (2020) Expectations and Experiences of Short-Term Study Abroad Leadership Teams. Journal of International Engineering Education, 2(1). | Abstract 

Taylor, A., Davis, K., Reeping, D., Murzi, H., & Knight, D. (2020). Experiencing Cross-Cultural Communication on a Home Campus. Special issue in the Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 30(4), 187-214.

Murzi H., Chowdhury T., Karlovsek J., & Ruiz B. (2020). Working in large teams: students’ experiences implementing Problem-Based Learning in capstone design, Special Issue in the International Journal of Engineering Education, 3(1B), 274–295.

Murzi H., & Cruz J. (2019). Validation of an instrument to evaluate disciplinary perceptions of engineering culture: Evidence from a Research Technical University. Journal of Education and Culture Studies, 4(1). | Abstract 

Murzi, H., Mazzurco, A., Pikaar, I., & Gibbes, B. (2019). Measuring development of environmental awareness and moral reasoning: A case- study of a civil engineering course, European Journal of Engineering Education, 4(6), 954-968. | Abstract

Lönngren, J., Adawi, T., Berge, M., Huff, J., Murzi, H., Direito, I., Tormey, R. & Sultam, U. (2020). Emotions in engineering education: Towards a research agenda. Frontiers in Education (FIE) Conference. Virtual Conference

Chowdhury, T., Perry. L., Murzi, H., & Vicente, S. (2020). Professional Practice in Engineering Education: Lessons Learned from Students Participating in Internships. European Society of Engineering Education (SEFI) Conference. Virtual Conference.

Woods, J., Murzi, H., Greene-Havas, M., Vicente, S., & Diaz, A. (2020). Role of Social Interaction in the Barriers facing First-Year International Students in the United States. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Chowdhury, T., Murzi, H., & Vicente, S. (2020). Understanding students’ experiences with teamwork in the Australian context. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Murzi, H., Jurkiewicz, J., Reid, K., & Rosenbaum, R. (2020). First-year engineering program evaluation: Understanding senior students' perceptions about their first-year experience. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Guerra, M., Murzi H., Woods, J., & Diaz, A. (2020). Understanding Students’ perceptions of Dimensions of Engineering Culture in Ecuador. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference. Montreal, Canada.

James, M., Murzi, H., Virguez, L., Forsyth, J., & Drickel, P. (2020). Exploring Perceptions of Disciplines using Arts-Informed Methods. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Chowdhury, T. & Murzi, H. (2020). The Evolution of Teamwork in engineering workplace from First Industry Revolution to Industry 4.0: A Literature Review. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Chowdhury, T., Knight, D., Kotys-Schwartz, D., Ford, J., & Murzi, H. (2020). Using Competing Values Framework to map the Development of Leadership skills as Capstone Design students Transition to the Workplace. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Matusovich, H., Murzi, H., Gray, D., Chambers, B., & James, M. (2020). An Autoethnography: Outcomes from Faculty Engagement in Course Development in a Large First-Year Engineering Program. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Emmet, R., Murzi, H., & Watts, N. (2020). Teaching Ethical Photography to deepen Global Engineering Competency. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Research Grant

Collaborative Research: Defining 21st Century Lifelong Learning Skills for Engineering Practice | Abstract