Department of Engineering at Boston College

06/24/2026

Professor Emma Brace spent the past month in Rio de Janeiro teaching ENGR 4350: Powering the Planet, a technical elective that studies renewable energy around the world using Brazil as a case study. Joined by 10 BC students (6 in HCE) and hosted by the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio (PUC-Rio), the cohort participated in several additional academic activities that included visiting the International Virtual Institute of Global Change, the Museum of Tomorrow, a community biodigestor at Vale Encantado, and the Angra 2 nuclear power plant. They also had the opportunity to visit Christ the Redeemer, Maracanã, Sugarloaf mountain, and try lots of Brazilian cuisine! It was a unique learning experience inside and out of the classroom for all to explore human-centered engineering approaches to complex global problems.

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth! Today, we reflect on our history and progress as a country. May we celebrate the freedoms we all share on such a monumental day!

06/02/2026

The Spring 2026 Human-Centered Engineering Newsletter is available now! Focused on student projects, this edition highlights the two major engineering project showcases our students participated in this semester. Access the newsletter and subscribe to our mailing list by clicking the link below.

As the academic year comes to an end, the success of the past year in the Human-Centered Engineering program here at Boston College fills me with hope for the future. From our rising sophomores to our newest Class of 2026 graduates, our students have combined their excellent technical abilities wit...

05/28/2026

The day before the Class of 2026 received their diplomas in Alumni Stadium, the department held the second annual Senior Celebration to recognize the legacy they are leaving behind. Farewell hugs and congratulations between friends, family, and faculty reminded us of what a memorable and transformative four years it has been, and we are so grateful for each and every student. Seniors Echo Panana and Sarah Ryan delivered heartwarming remarks as they reflected on the perspectives they have gained during their time in HCE: have empathy and be engineers by, for, and with others. Each student received a parting gift, handwritten notes from faculty, and the notes they wrote to themselves 100 days ago, and Professor Gaudette left everyone with the reminder to be attentive, reflective, and loving in every aspect of life. Thank you for making HCE the special place it is — you will all be missed dearly.

05/26/2026

Exactly one month ago was our second annual Engineering Projects Showcase, a day designed to highlight the dedication, grit, and compassion that our engineers have put into their semester and year-long projects. 47 seniors presented their Senior Impact Projects to families, friends, and industry professionals, followed by the display of 43 juniors’ Collaborative Service Engineering Projects. We could not be more proud of the way these students have combined their problem solving skills with a genuine care for the world around them, and are inspired by their ability to create and articulate their work. Congratulations to our human-centered engineers on another successful year of service toward the common good!

05/25/2026

Today, the Department of Engineering reflects and remembers the ultimate sacrifices made to protect the lives and liberties of the United States. We honor their memories and are inspired by their courage to be a part of a greater good.

05/19/2026

Congratulations Human-Centered Engineering class of 2026! 🎉🎓

05/18/2026

The HCE faculty are so proud of all of our graduates who are wearing BOSTON COLLEGE today!!! ❤️💛🦅

05/15/2026

Our final Senior Spotlight for the Class of 2026 is Ashley Waldron!
Ashley “loved how close knit the program is,” and shared that “from meeting up together at football games, to having built in study groups, or bringing the Beanpot trophy to some of the HCE professors, the experience was so much more engaging and exciting because we got to do it together!” After graduating, Ashley will be joining Raytheon as a Systems Engineer in Woburn and is looking forward to staying in the area and living with some of her closest BC friends. Good luck, Ashley!

05/14/2026

Our next Senior Spotlight is Echo Panana!
Looking back, Echo has enjoyed “getting to explore all parts of engineering.” They share that they “had the option to mix and match classes in what (they were) interested in and learn about so many fields: environmental, aerospace, and automotive.” After graduating, Echo will be attending Harvard Graduate School of Education to pursue a M.Ed and a Massachusetts Physics teaching license. Good luck, Echo!