BGSU College of Engineering and Innovation celebrates 40 years
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Taking flight in 1985, the University's technology programs have consistently evolved over time to serve students and the greater region.
Formerly known as the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, the BGSU College of Engineering and Innovation has thrived because of its ability to adapt.
Similar to the College of Musical Arts, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, technology-related degree programs have long existed at BGSU and have grown with the rest of the University over time.
In 1967, BGSU established the School of Technology, though interest and expertise over the next two decades eventually necessitated the creation of a new college, with the College of Technology (later called the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering) taking flight in 1985.
Earlier in 2025, the University changed the name to College of Engineering and Innovation after a multi-year process of reimagining its degree programs to align with the demands of industry and position BGSU as a leader within relevant fields.
Fittingly, the College of Engineering and Innovation has changed dramatically over time and especially within the past decade, consistently adapting to prepare graduates for careers that make a difference in Ohio and beyond.
The College comprises the School of the Built Environment, School of Engineering and School of Aviation.
Together, the three schools combine to offer 21 degree programs that prepare students for highly desirable careers as pilots, engineers, architects, construction managers and more.
Long known as an innovator within its field, the School of Engineering launched three reimagined degree programs in 2024 to help meet regional needs in advanced manufacturing. BGSU introduced electronics and computer engineering, mechanical and manufacturing engineering and robotics engineering, with already accredited systems engineering and logistics programming.
The BGSU School of the Built Environment remains the only one of its kind in Ohio to educate architecture and construction management students together in a collaborative environment, just as the two professions work in tandem in the real world.
The aviation program is one of the largest in Ohio, one of the largest in the U.S. and one of the very few college programs with an airport directly on its campus land.
The College of Engineering and Innovation will take yet another step forward with the pending completion of the BGSU Technology Engineering Innovation Center, a highly innovative new facility that will feature seven specialty labs to support the three reimagined degree programs as well as visual communication technology.
The new building is set to open in Spring 2026.
The BGSU Technology Engineering Innovation Center is currently under construction and set to be completed next year. (BGSU photos / Haven Conn)
As the world of technology evolves rapidly, the BGSU College of Engineering and Innovation has been right with it every step of the way to prepare students for the careers that will have major impacts in Ohio and beyond.
“At BGSU, we play a key role in educating the next generation of leaders within a variety of skilled professions, which requires us to constantly adapt, evaluate and reimagine, just as our graduates will do in their fields,” said Dr. Wael Mokhtar, dean of the College of Engineering and Innovation.
“The state of Ohio and manufacturing are closely intertwined, and our job at BGSU is to prepare students who not only leave with skills, but an understanding of where their field is going.”
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Media Contact | Michael Bratton | mbratto@bgsu.edu | 419-372-6349
Updated: 09/05/2025 09:26AM