By Tosin Clegg
In a time when the engineering world is rapidly evolving with the proliferation of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and data-driven innovation, Dr. Ibukun Samuel Osunbunmi has emerged as a transformational figure in American engineering education. A Nigerian-born scholar and Assistant Research Professor at Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Osunbunmi is not only redefining how engineers are trained in the United States but also creating models that promise global impact. As a professor of engineering education, who leads faculty development at the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education at Penn State, Dr. Osunbunmi is a key force behind reshaping the learning experience for engineering students and faculty development nationwide. He teaches and coordinates innovative courses, such as ENGR 888: Seminar on Teaching, in the College of Engineering, and is a driving force behind professional development programs that help faculty integrate AI, evidence-based teaching, and data-driven methods into their classrooms.
His research paper “Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI)-Assisted Learning: Pushing the Boundaries of Engineering Education” has gained national recognition and was presented at the 2024 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference. Moreover, his active role as a panelist and keynote speaker on global stages including events by the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the World Engineering Education Forum reflects his rising influence in global education policy, AI ethics, and workforce preparedness. For example, during World Engineering Day on March 4, 2025, with participants from all continents except Antarctica, Dr. Osunbunmi, as a panelist, spoke on “Policy Perspective on AI in Engineering Education.” He emphasized the need for international policy on AI literacy and accessibility, data ethics and privacy protection, workforce development, and a cross-sector approach to prepare future engineers.
His signature faculty workshops including “Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Enhance Learning for All Students”, Designing AI in and Out of the Engineering Classroom for an Inclusive Course Experience”, “Promoting Academic Writing Using Artificial Intelligence” and “Backward Design: Creating the Engineering Classroom with Outcomes in View” have influenced hundreds of educators, enhancing pedagogical practices not only at the nation’s most respected engineering college, but also globally. Perhaps Dr. Osunbunmi’s most notable contribution lies in his visionary leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in engineering education. He leads or collaborates on groundbreaking research projects, including but not limited to AI literacy and ethics, Machine Learning models for predicting engineering student persistence to graduation, Virtual reality-enhanced learning tools for machine design courses, and AI for engineering pedagogy and learning.
Strengthening U.S. Competitiveness and Workforce Readiness
Dr. Osunbunmi’s contributions go beyond classroom innovation. His federally funded projects, such as those supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), address key national priorities. Dr. Osunbunmi leads projects on workforce development, increasing student retention and persistence in engineering programs, faculty development, developing AI literacy academic resources to enhance student engagement, and evaluating undergraduate advising programs that shape future engineers. Such work has a direct implication for the U.S. economy, as it equips students with real-world problem-solving skills, preparing them for high-demand roles in tech, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. In essence, his research is helping the U.S. meet its growing demand for diverse, innovative, and AI-literate engineering professionals, a cornerstone of maintaining global technological leadership.
Dr Osunbunmi is a Global Voice for Equity and Innovation in Engineering Education
While Dr. Osunbunmi’s impact on U.S. education is profound, his efforts resonate globally. From curriculum reform projects in Egypt, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to promoting female participation in engineering across the South Pacific Islands, he brings a distinctly international lens to his work. His advocacy for AI literacy in Africa and involvement with the African Engineering Education Fellows in Diaspora (AEEF) are part of a broader effort to democratize access to cutting-edge education worldwide.
Dr. Osunbunmi is raw evidence of recognition that tells a story of promise, including being named an IEEE/ASEE Frontiers in Education New Faculty Fellow, receiving NSF awards, and serving as a founding leader of ASEE’s Data Science and AI Division, which reflects both his scholarly depth and societal relevance. These recognitions are not merely titles; they represent an emerging authority who bridges research, instruction, and policy and one who believes engineering education must evolve to reflect the intelligence age we live in. At the heart of Dr. Osunbunmi’s journey is a deep commitment to equity, innovation, and service. His work exemplifies how a single educator, when empowered with vision and purpose, can shift the direction of an entire educational ecosystem not just for a single institution or nation, but for a global community of learners. In a landscape demanding agility, foresight, and inclusivity, Dr. Ibukun Osunbunmi stands as a compelling figure helping to define the future of engineering education in the United States and beyond.
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