Program Faculty and Staff

Summer 2025 SSIP Leaders

Jennifer Shepherd, PhD, Interim Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science

Shepherd
Dr. Shepherd was recently appointed Interim Dean of SEAS, a role she will hold for two years. She is eager to lead the organization of the Summer 2025 SSIP, which will take place from July 6-11. r. Shepherd has over 26 years of experience as a STEM faculty member at Gonzaga.
She initially joined SEAS as the Interim Chair of Mechanical Engineering during the 2023-2024 academic year, after many years as a Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. Her formal training is in the area of synthetic organic chemistry and her research focuses on biosynthesis and anaerobic energy metabolism as potential targets for new anti-microbial and anti-parasitic drugs. As Interim Dean of SEAS, Dr. Shepherd is working to establish the Gonzaga Research Opportunities in Math, Engineering, and Computer Science (GRO-MECS) program and to launch a new Center for Materials Research.
 

Rhonda Young, PhD, Professor of Civil Engineering

Young
Dr. Young will serve as the SSIP Coordinator for Summer 2025. As Associate Dean in SEAS, she focuses on fostering and coordinating activities and resources to enhance student recruitment, success, and retention.
Dr. Young has been a faculty participant in SSIP over the last two years. She has been in academia since 2002 and joined Gonzaga in 2015. Over her career, she has taught a range of undergraduate and graduate courses in Transportation Engineering, as well as introductory engineering courses for freshmen and sophomores. Before her academic career, she spent 10 years working as a transportation consultant. Her research spans areas including transportation planning, safety, and intelligent transportation systems, with a current focus on using Connected Vehicle Technology to improve roadway operations in adverse weather. She is a registered professional engineer in Washington and Wyoming.

2024 SSIP Staff

Hunt

Mary Hunt

Office Manager & Assistant to the Dean

(509) 313-3522

Radcliffe

Mindy Ratcliffe

Program Assistant III

(509) 313-3559

Lexi

Lexi Durbin

Peer Mentor

Lexi Durbin is a senior Mechanical Engineering student from Kirkland, Washington, who works in the Music Mansion and the Tribology Lab at Gonzaga. She loves rock climbing, swimming, snowboarding, hiking, and plays in the Bulldog Band! She has always been fascinated with engineering and sustainability, and after taking classes in materials and architectural engineering, she decided to pursue mechanical engineering. She would have loved access to a program such as SSIP in High School and is sincerely looking forward to helping others discover how they can pursue their passions through Engineering and Computer Science.

Lola

Lola Faix

Lola Faix is a senior civil engineering student from Denver, Colorado! She loves staying active through hiking, snowboarding, and every intramural sport GU has to offer. She also works as a research assistant for SEAS, studying the effectiveness of man-made beaver dams on restoring river habitats. She is Social Chair of the Society of Women Engineers and has a blast putting on fun events to empower and encourage women throughout the school. She is so excited for SSIP for a week of learning with a whole lot of fun!

Marcy

Marcy Mount

Peer Mentor

Marcy Mount is a Senior Math and Spanish major from Dallas, TX. This summer she is working as an administrative assistant for the SEAS Dean's office. During the school year, she tutors Gonzaga students for the Math Department. In her free time, Marcy loves to be outside, reading a good book, or hanging out with her friends. Coming from an all-girls high school that strongly supported women in the STEM fields, Marcy is so excited to be a part of SSIP and work with other women interested in STEM!

Sydney

Sydney Pifer

Peer Mentor

Sydney Pifer, a Junior at Gonzaga University, is passionate about pursuing her degree in Mechanical Engineering. Originally from Gig Harbor, WA, she finds joy in activities like skiing, snowboarding, and crocheting during her free time. Recently inspired by her experience at the Madrid Open, she's taken up tennis as a new hobby. Sydney loves taking any chance she gets to connect with and meet new people interested in the engineering field, especially young women like her!

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