More Herff Headlines 

Dr. Nate Phillips grew up in Memphis and always stayed close to his hometown professionally and academically, traveling to Starkville, Mississippi, for his PhD before returning to Bluff City as a professor of teaching at Rhodes College. At 38, Phillips entered the next chapter of his life and career this fall semester as an assistant professor of teaching and graduate program coordinator in the Polytechnic@UofM’s Department of Applied Technology.

While many colleges and institutes across the country face the enrollment cliff, Herff College of Engineering enrolled 6% more first-time, full-time (FTFT) students in Fall 2026 than in the previous academic year: 361 students. 

Flintco scheduling manager and Herff College of Engineering alumna Ashley Woodall is no stranger to giving back to her alma mater. From representing Flintco at Herff’s Career Fairs to serving as an advisor for her former sorority, Woodall has always been passionate about helping the next generation of engineers. In Fall 2026, she took that support to the next level by accepting a position as an adjunct professor in Engineering Technology.

Dr. Sina Bahrami, assistant professor in the Herff College of Engineering’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, hasn’t taught his first class yet, but he’s already envisioning the impact he’ll have on his students far into the future.

Thirty organizations competed Wednesday morning in the Herff College of Engineering Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering's second annual golf tournament. 

Dr. Evan Main, a researcher at the University of Memphis' Herff College of Engineering, received the University of Memphis Retirees (UMAR) Dorothy Atra University-Wide Dissertation Award. 

As the new academic year settles in, students' calendars are quickly filling up with different colors boxing out times of their day for class, research and study. Jean Yves Thiemele-Marco, a 21-year-old junior in the Herff College of Engineering Department of Biomedical Engineering, accomplishes all of those tasks while also devoting much of his time to the University of Memphis Track and Field team.

Dr. Sabya Mishra, Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Center for Transportation Innovations in Education and Research (C-TIER) at the University of Memphis, has received a $124,929 research award from the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) for the project, “Transit Asset Management Plan for MATA.”

The Center for Transportation Innovations, Education and Research (C-TIER) and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office co-hosted the third annual "Drive Safe" campaign at the University of Memphis on September 2. 

As West Tennessee experiences significant new industrial development, University of Memphis researchers are working to ensure that one of the region’s most important natural resources—the groundwater beneath it—is understood and protected for generations to come.

The Herff College of Engineering Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Student Chapter received the Robert Stammer Student Chapter Award for the third consecutive year. 

Dr. Sungyong Jung began his appointment as department chair on August 3. Jung left South Dakota State University to join the University of Memphis, a decision he said the University of Memphis’ national reputation made easy.

Graduate students returned to the Herff College of Engineering on Thursday, August 20, for a Welcome Back Kickoff event. 

Herff College of Engineering senior Madison Cole received a $2,500 scholarship from Smith + Nephew, money she says will help her complete her goals as she enters her final undergraduate academic year in Herff's Department of Mechanical Engineering. 

While some students spent their summer break at the beach, Herff College of Engineering senior Tarik Wilkins spent his time away from the classroom as an intern at AutoZone Store Support Headquarters in Downtown Memphis.

Francis Smith-Brown, course developer at the University of Memphis Center for Information Assurance (CFIA) and creator of Sugar Bubbles™, was named a Community Choice winner and Bronze recipient in the 2026 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards.

The Urban Fellows Program provides students with a 10-week internship and offers students a chance to get directly involved in the city government’s work of improving the lives of citizens. Students from the Herff College of Engineering made up nine of the 23 participants who were placed in the city’s division of engineering.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Dr. Sungyong Jung has been named chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis. He will begin his appointment Aug. 3.

Incoming Herff College of Engineering senior Kenzie Slakans already has more industry experience than most engineering students do by the time they graduate, thanks to her ongoing internships with Barnhart Crane & Rigging, a company that assists with the moving and installation of heavy equipment of all sizes.

Cristian Fernandez graduated from high school in 2019 and went straight to work in the construction industry, but he always knew that he’d need to continue his education to earn the role he sought, a position in management.

Turner Construction of the Mid-South donated $75,000 to the University of Memphis Foundation on Thursday, July 30. 

When the 14th International Fatigue Congress (IFC14) kicked off on June 28 in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, one of the first voices attendees heard was from the University of Memphis (UofM).

The construction management certificate at the Herff College of Engineering enables students worldwide to gain skills that can take their construction careers to the next level in as little as two semesters.

If you find yourself in an engineering lab feeling inadequate or even stupid, there's good news. Dr. Gary Bowlin, chair of Herff's Department of Biomedical Engineering, says you're exactly where you need to be to succeed.