Expanding Opportunity: Fulton Schools Bring Engineering Education and Innovation to ASU’s West Campus

Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering is broadening its footprint – not just in facilities, but in access, community impact, and educational innovation – with a major expansion of engineering education at the ASU West campus. This westward initiative represents a strategic step in serving the growing needs of West Valley students, local industries, and the broader Phoenix metropolitan region.

At a community gathering celebrating this vision, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs emphasized the long-term benefits that expanded STEM education efforts will bring to West Valley communities – from enhanced workforce readiness to economic growth and stronger industry partnerships.

New Courses, New Pathways

Starting in fall 2023, students at the West campus will have access to foundational engineering and innovation courses previously offered primarily at other ASU campuses. These include:

  • Entrepreneurship and Value Creation – designed to equip students with entrepreneurial thinking and problem-solving skills across disciplines.
  • Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) – a hands-on, team-based course where students collaborate on real engineering solutions that serve local community needs.
  • Computer Science & Engineering Programming for non-engineering majors – broadening access to computational thinking across all fields.

These offerings reflect a commitment to integrated, experiential learning that prepares students – whether engineering majors or not – to solve real-world challenges using technical know-how and creative thinking.

A New School and a Vision for the Future

Central to this westward expansion is the creation of the School of Integrated Engineering, a forward-looking concept that blends technical foundations with flexible specializations. Students will be able to pursue an undergraduate degree in engineering science with concentrations that intersect engineering, business, microelectronics, and other high-demand disciplines.

According to faculty leaders, this structure isn’t just about launching traditional engineering programs – it’s about fostering an educational culture of integration that equips graduates to impact diverse industries, from startups to established enterprises.

Building Entrepreneurial Mindsets

Bringing entrepreneurship into engineering education is a key piece of the expansion. Associate Teaching Professor Brent Sebold, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the Fulton Schools, is leading efforts to embed entrepreneurial thinking into coursework – helping students identify opportunities, take intelligent risks, and create solutions with societal impact.

Sebold is partnering with Kristin Slice, Director of Community Entrepreneurship at the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute, to connect students with local business leaders and real world challenges. Their shared mission is for students to graduate not only with technical strengths, but with innovative mindsets that drive change.

Experiential Learning Anchored in Community Needs

The EPICS course, taught by Assistant Teaching Professor Adwith Malpe, places students in community-focused engineering projects that develop both technical skills and civic engagement, linking classroom learning with tangible community outcomes.

Beyond coursework, the West campus community – supported by student engagement leaders like Mitch Tybroski – helps students connect with local organizations, participate in campus life, and build networks that extend learning far beyond the classroom.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Impact

While the initial expansion brings three new courses and integrated engineering education to the West campus, plans are already underway to enlarge offerings in 2024 and beyond. Faculty leaders are confident that the groundwork being laid now will grow into a deeper academic presence, more research opportunities, and stronger community partnerships across the West Valley.

This westward expansion exemplifies ASU’s broader mission to democratize access to world-class education, strengthen regional economies, and empower students from all backgrounds to become innovators, thinkers, and change-makers.

Read the full story and learn more about ASU Engineering’s westward expansion here.