Jena Shafai Asgarpoor

Professor of Practice & Program Director Master of Engineering Management - College of Engineering Dean's Office University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Address: KH A405J
Lincoln NE 68588-0684
Phone: 402-472-3166 On-campus 2-3166
Email: jshafai@unl.edu
Website: Master of Engineering Management Program (MEM)

I have more than 30 years of experience in online course and program development and teaching. I bring that experience and my engineering management and industrial engineering education with me to the College of Engineering and to the Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program to serve as a Professor of Practice and the Director for the MEM program and as the MEM Graduate Chair. I have two certifications from Quality Matters and serve as a course reviewer for that organization which is dedicated to best practices in online and blended course design and delivery.

My interests lie in engineering management, quality control and quality management, pedagogy, online teaching, and assessment of student learning, particularly in online space. I am an Advisory Committee member of the Engineering Management .org. I have served as the Education Chair on the Board of Nebraska Section for The American Society for Quality (ASQ), and as Secretary, President, and Past-President of the Council of Engineering Management Academic Leaders (CEMAL). I am active in the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and served as the Engineering Management Division Program Chair and Chair in recent years. I am also active in the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM). serving as ASEM President in 2025.

Education

Ph.D., Industrial Engineering (1989), Texas A&M University (College Station)
M.S., Industrial Engineering (1983), Texas A&M University (College Station)
B.A., Political Science (1980), Texas A&M University (College Station)

Appointment

Teaching: 50%

Administration: 40%

Service: 10%

Professional Membership

The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and ASEE Midwest Section

The American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM)

Areas of Research and Professional Interest

Engineering Management

Quality Management

Process Improvement

Pedagogy and Academic Assessment

Online Education and Student Learning Outcomes

Courses Taught

Total Quality Management Using Six Sigma

Engineering leadership

Teamwork for Organizational Commitment and Collaboration

Quantitative Analysis for Engineering Management Decisions

Applied Management Science for Engineering and Operations

Data Analysis for Decision Making

Operations and supply chain management

Essentials of supply chain management in a global environment

Models in supply chain management

Production and operations management

Introduction to management science

Advanced management science

Business modeling and planning

Quality Management and Six Sigma

Business analytics and operations management

Research methods and survey analysis

Business statistics

Honors & Awards

Excellence in Service Award, American Society for Engineering Education Midwest Section, 2024

Keating Award for Innovation and Leadership in Lifelong Learning in Graduate Engineering Education (2022)
Awarded by The American Society for Engineering Education Graduate Studies Division (2022 ASEE Annual conference, Minneapolis, MN)

American Society for Engineering Education, 2022 Best Paper Award from Engineering Management Division for, "Reclaiming Engineering Management's Position Among Engineering Disciplines" (2022 ASEE Annual conference, Minneapolis, MN)

University-Wide Distinguished Teaching Award, 2021 (University of Nebraska - Lincoln)

Holling Family Master Teacher Award, 2021 (College of Engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln)

Holling Family Distinguished Senior Faculty Teaching Award, 2019 (College of Engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln)

Holling Family Distinguished Teaching Award for Innovative Use of Instructional Technology, 2019 (College of Engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln)

American Society for Engineering Education, 2021 Best Presentation Award from Engineering Management Division for, "Administering an Asynchronous Professional Master’s Degree" (Presented at the 2022 ASEE Annual Conference; Minneapolis, MN)

American Society for Engineering Education, 2020 Best Presentation Award from Engineering Management Division for, "An Integrated Platform of Active Learning Techniques in a Supply Chain Management Program" (Presented at the 2021 ASEE Annual Conference; Virtual due to the Pandemic)

Pinnacle Award for Marketing Research – Not-for-Profit category, American Marketing Association, Omaha Chapter (2015)

John R. Maenner Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award (2016, Bellevue University)

Outstanding Online Professor Award (1999, Bellevue University)

ConAgra Distinguished Professor Award (1996, Bellevue University)

Best Employee Award, Texas A&M University Business Research Council (1989)

Summa Cum Laude graduate, Texas A&M University, College Station

Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society

Alpha Pi Mu Industrial Engineering Honor Society

Epsilon Mu Eta Engineering Management Honor Society

Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society

Publications

Majid Nabavi, Jena Shafai Asgarpoor, “The Impact of using publisher-platform learning site and synchronous video conferencing on exam and homework grades in an online graduate course”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 22 – 25, 2025, Montreal, Canada (Accepted)

Majid Nabavi, Jena Shafai Asgarpoor, “A comparative analysis of student performance outcomes in online and in-person classes”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 22 – 25, 2025, Montreal, Canada (Accepted)

Muhammad Naveed Aman, Moomal Bukhari, Eric C. Einspahr, Jena Shafai Asgarpoor, “Reducing the DFW Rate for Engineering Majors in Introductory Computer Science Through Contextualized Learning and Peer-Supported Engagement”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 22 – 25, 2025, Montreal, Canada (Accepted)

Brianna Griffith, Eric Specking, Jena Shafai Asgarpoor, Adrienne Minerick, Stephanie Adams, Meagan Pollock, Patrice Sims, “Improving Gender Equity in Engineering - Perspectives from Academia and Literature”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 25 – 28, 2023, Baltimore, MD.

Majid Nabavi, Jena Shafai Asgarpoor, “A data-driven comparison of students’ performance in asynchronous online versus in-person sections of an introductory graduate statistics course”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 25 – 28, 2023, Baltimore, MD.

Neal Lewis, Jena Shafai Asgarpoor, Ipek Bozurk, “CIP 2030: A Strategy for Engineering Management to be Reclassified as an Engineering Discipline”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 25 – 28, 2023, Baltimore, MD.

Jena Asgarpoor, Lewis, N., “Reclaiming Engineering Management’s Position Among Engineering Disciplines”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 26 – 29, 2022, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Jena Asgarpoor, Handley, M., Sarang-Sieminski, A., Slaughter, J. B., Murzi, H., Pollock, M., Cox, M., “Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Our Classroom and Teaching”, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition, July 2021 (Scheduled for Long Beach, California; virtual due to the pandemic). Winner of Best Paper in Engineering Management Division

Jena Asgarpoor, Vanek, G.T., “Engineering Management Masters Programs: Administrative and Curricular Structure”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) International Annual Conference, October 27 – 30, 2021, Virtual due to pandemic. Finalist for CDEI’s BEST PAPER award.

Jena Asgarpoor, Wang, Y., “Administering an Asynchronous Professional Master’s Degree: Effective Strategies for Design, Delivery, and Engagement”, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition, June 2021 (Long Beach, California). Winner of Best Presentation in Engineering Management Division.

Cronin-Gilmore, J., Hammond, H., Asgarpoor, J., “Reexamining Quality of Life, Motivation, and productivity in the Workplace during a Pandemic”, Proceedings of The Academy of Business Research Conference, Winter 2021, virtual due to the pandemic. Winner of best paper award.

Cronin-Gilmore, J., Hammond, H., Shafai Asgarpoor, J. (2021). "Reconsidering the Traditional Work Week". Journal of Business Management and Change. 19 (2) 58 – 91

Jena Asgarpoor, “Integrating Sustainability in a Quality Management Course”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) International Annual Conference, October 28 – 31, 2020, Denver, CO.

Cronin-Gilmore, J., Maguire, D., Asgarpoor, J. S., Nabavi, M. (2020). Building a Woman’s Brand through Serving on Nonprofit Boards. Journal of Brand Strategy, 9(3), 254 – 270

Jena Asgarpoor, “An Integrated Platform of Active Learning Techniques in a Supply Chain Management Program”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 24 – 29, 2020, (scheduled for Montreal, Canada); conducted as Virtual due to COVID-19 pandemic (19 pages). Winner of Best Presentation in Engineering Management Division.

Chen, Y.W., Asgarpoor, J. S., Sandekian, R., Nelson, J. K., Rynearson, L. K., Bartelt-Hunt, S., Callahan, J., “Managing Dual Academic Careers”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 24 – 29, 2020, (scheduled for Montreal, Canada) Virtual due to COVID-19 pandemic (21 pages).

Jena Asgarpoor, “Asynchronous Course Design 101”, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) International Annual Conference, October 23 – 26, 2019, Philadelphia, PA (9 pages)

Cronin-Gilmore, J., Maguire, D., Shafai, J., & Nabavi, M. (2018). An Analysis of the Motivations, Challenges and Rewards of Women Serving on Nonprofit Boards. Proceedings of The National Business and Economics Society Conference, March 7 – 10, 2018 Honolulu, Hawaii, ISSN: 2151-3333 (34 pages)

Conference Presentations

Jena Asgarpoor, “What Motivates Working Engineers to Pursue Graduate Engineering Management Education”, The American Society for Engineering Management International Annual Conference, October 24 – 28, 2023 (Denver, CO).

Jena Asgarpoor, Vanek, G.T., Conference Workshop, “Engineering Management Masters Programs: Administrative and Curricular Structure”, The American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) International Annual Conference, October 27 – 30, 2021, Virtual due to pandemic.

Jena Asgarpoor, Conference session, “Program Management Strategies and Student Success Practices for a Fully Asynchronous Online Professional Master’s Program”, Innovate Conference of Online Learning Consortium (OLC), March 2021. Winner of Best in Track Award.

Jena Asgarpoor, Conference Workshop, “Strategies for Successful Design and Delivery of an Asynchronous Online Program”, American Society for Engineering Management, October 2020, Denver, CO. (turned virtual due to COVID)

Jena S. Asgarpoor, Wang, Y., “Program Management Strategies and Student Success Practices for a Fully Asynchronous Online Professional Master’s Program”, 2020 Innovation in Pedagogy and Technology Symposium, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, May 12, 2020.

Jena S. Asgarpoor, Nabavi, M., “You Think They Learn Less Online Than in a Traditional Classroom? Well, Think Again”, 2020 Innovation in Pedagogy and Technology Symposium, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, May 12, 2020.

Jena Asgarpoor, Panelist. Big 10+ Engineering Leadership Rapid Fire, American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, October 15 – 19, 2019, Tampa, Florida

Jena Asgarpoor, “Online Course Design 101”, 2019 Innovation in Pedagogy and Technology Symposium, University of Nebraska Lincoln, May 7, 2019
Conference proceedings:

Jena Shafai Asgarpoor, “A Graduate Online Course in Engineering Leadership”, American Society of Engineering Management International Annual Conference, October 17 – 20, 2018, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Jena Shafai, “Design, Development, Delivery, and Assessment of an Online MBA Statistics Course”, Decision Sciences Institute Annual Meeting, November 19 – 22, 2016, Austin, TX

Jena Shafai, Kevin Schieuer, “A Program-level Assessment Exam: In-house Development and Implementation”, Decision Sciences Institute Annual Meeting, November 19 – 22, 2016, Austin, TX

Jena Shafai, David Levy, and Robert Ludrick, “An Integrated Platform of Experiential Learning Practices: Pedagogical Choices for Business & Supply Chain Curricula”, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education North Central Regional Assembly Conference, October 5 – 7, 2016, Bellevue, NE

Linda Thomas, Jena Shafai, Dara Spivack “Critical Thinkers Wanted: Meeting the Challenge with Evidence-Based Practices”, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, Annual Conference and Assembly Meeting, April 13 – 17, 2015, Baltimore, MD

Linda Thomas, Jena Shafai, Charles Benish “Wake Up Your Classes with Critical Thinking! Help students discover the joy of an open mind”, Western Academy of Management, March 13 – 16, 2013, Santa Fe, NM and Institute of Behavioral and Applied Management, October 3 – 5, 2013, San Diego, CA

Jena Shafai, Majid Nabavi, “Steps in Quantitative Research: Plan, Implement, Analyze”, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, Annual Conference and Assembly Meeting, April 16-19, 2013, Orlando, FL

Julia Cronin-Gilmore, Jennifer Moss Breen, Jena Shafai, Majid Nabavi “Scholarship in Business Education”, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, Annual Conference and Assembly Meeting, April 16-19, 2013, Orlando, FL

Jena Shafai, Majid Nabavi “Online Versus Residential Exam Performance: A Comparative Assessment”, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education meeting, April 18-20, 2012, Kansas City, MO.

Jena Shafai, Majid Nabavi, “Overcoming the challenges of teaching quantitative material online”, United States Distance Learning National Conference, April 26-29, 2010, St. Louis, MO

Jena Shafai, Christine Wietzki, “A Linear Programming Model to Minimize Cost of Efficacy and Equivalency Testing on Corn Hybrids”, 42^nd Decision Sciences Institute Annual Meeting, November 20-23, 2010, San Diego, CA.

Jena Shafai, Majid Nabavi “Learning Assessment Methods and Tools”, 42^ndDecision Sciences Institute Annual Meeting, November 20-23, 2010, San Diego, CA.

Jena Shafai, Majid Nabavi, “A Comparison of Online versus Residential Test Scores in an MBA Statistics Course”, 42^nd Decision Sciences Institute Annual Meeting, November 20-23, 2010, San Diego, CA.

Jena Shafai, Majid Nabavi, “Overcoming the challenge of delivering quantitative content in online education”, 41^st Decision Sciences Institute Annual Meeting, November 14 – 17, 2009, New Orleans, LA