Building A Modeling and Simulation-Based Multidisciplinary Learning Environment for Capacity 

Transformation in Urban Universities: Sustainable Energy Systems and Beyond 

SUMMARY 

 Mechanical engineers work in all industries. The highest concentration of mechanical engineering jobs 

that have experienced the fastest growth is in the energy system services sector. The pledge of President 

Biden and the recent passing of the $369 billion in climate and energy spending by Congress on August 7, 

2022, to create a new economy empowered by clean energy is a timely driving force that creates an 

unprecedented demand for skilled workforce in sustainable energy systems where computer modeling and 

simulation are essential skillsets. Modeling and Simulation (M&S) are being increasingly used in industry 

for product development, system design and retrofitting, and risk assessment, and are consequently 

becoming a prerequisite for testing, prototyping, and commissioning. Yet, there is a shortage of M&S 

programs, especially in urban state universities, where diverse and underrepresented students chose to 

study. In responding to these needs, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Cleveland State 

University (CSU), in collaboration with the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 

(EECS), and Department of Teacher Education, proposes to leverage the funding opportunity from 

Department of Education’s Modeling and Simulation Program (MSP) to develop a new graduate 

concentration of Modeling and Simulation in Sustainable Energy Systems (MS-SES). 

The proposed project goal will be accomplished via the following four tasks: (1) develop three new 

courses and enhance an existing project course to align with the MS-SES concentration. Under this task, 

the team will structure the core of the concentration for students to learn fundamentals of M&S while guided 

by projects in energy systems that are embedded in all courses from introductory level to application level. 

A new M&S lab integrating the existing VR/AR capability and high-performance computing is also to be 

developed to serve the core courses; (2) deliver a flexible curriculum that fits student needs for a standard 

or accelerated master’s degree in mechanical engineering with M&S concentration, or a stand-alone M&S 

certificate program. Under this task, the project team will apply pedagogic changes in delivering courses. 

Each course is team-taught by computer science or machine-learning faculty with an energy system faculty 

to provide students a balance between fundamental and hands-on skills. Strategies such as flipped classroom 

and problem-led learning will be applied; (3) evaluate and demonstrate the best practice for an MSP 

program that can be adopted by other engineering tracks beyond the funding period; and (4) develop a 

student-centered environment to recruit diverse students and enhance their success towards the MSP 

concentration, demonstrating careers pathways through workshop series and symposia, and leveraging 

campus events.

Students will benefit from completing a degree with an MS-SES concentration in multiple ways. They 

will be able to demonstrate their specialized academic achievements among their peers, their decisionmaking abilities, and research competence in their field of study. Students will also gain expertise that 

allows them to contribute to new technology innovation and deployment towards a sustainable future that 

does not exist today. For example, industries are always facing new challenges and open-ended questions 

that need efficient turn-around time. Those challenges cannot be addressed using traditional knowledge 

bases and experimental approaches. Most importantly, having a graduate degree with modeling and 

simulation concentration will unlock career opportunities in a range of industries from manufacturing to 

healthcare, as well as federal and state governments, where mechanical engineering graduates are needed. 

Finally, the successful completion of the proposed project will enhance the institutional capacity in 

academic advancement and knowledge creation in state-of-the-art technology and provide a model for 

developing graduate-level modeling and simulation programs in other disciplines within our institution and 

nationwide.

Cleveland State University (OH) $1,009,852.00

Project Title: Developing Modeling and Simulation-Based Multidisciplinary Learning Environment for Urban 

Universities 
Modeling And Simulation Through Education and Research Workforce Program (MASTER 

Workforce) at Inter American University of Puerto Rico

A workforce development in Modeling and Simulation (M&S) is proposed by Inter American 

University of Puerto Rico, San Germán (SGC) and Bayamón Campuses (BYC), consisting of four 

main developments: 1) a new M&S online professional certificate program, 2) a minor 

undergraduate concentration in M&S, 3) workforce improvement in M& through community 

building activities as the Summer Institute and REU, and 4) a master template for M&S research 

infrastructure that documents program activities, hurdles, and successes for replication at 

other campuses/institutions and program scalability. The project aims to provide the best STEM 

education through the application of M&S in courses and research in sciences, engineering, and 

mathematics careers, using technology and establishing two new programs that will pursue this 

goal by improving work skills of students and professionals. The project builds on a previous

successful collaborative proposal that used interdisciplinary faculty and speakers from multiple 

institutions for professional development activities, research, and project-based learning during 

an intensive Summer Institute. The design and evidence-based best practices obtained will

continue to grow during academic year, building a community of faculty and students around 

M&S. Simulations and modeling using computational tools requires sound mathematical and 

interdisciplinary knowledge that promotes analytical and communication skills for workforce

development, addressing the need of more and better STEM education for the future of the 

nation and particularly underrepresented groups, with the goal of online accessibility that 

benefits the nationwide professional community.

Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German Campus (PR) $ 864,053.00

Project Title: Modeling and Simulation Trough Education and Research Workforce Program (MASTER Workforce) at 

Inter American University of Puerto Rico
ABSTRACT

Applicant: Dewey University-Carolina; (Online Division)

11170 Ave. 65 de Infantería, Carolina, PR 00968 |

Contact: Prof. Yosanalis Torres Hernández, (787) 603-4095, yosanalis.torres@dewey.edu

Proposed Project: Awareness of the Development and Promotion of Success in Learning

through the Study and Implementation of a Modeling Program, Virtual Environments and

Simulations (VirtualED-MES)

Institution / Target Area / Population Served: Dewey University is a private, nonprofit,

Hispanic-Serving Institution located in Puerto Rico. This institution provides educational

opportunities for students across Puerto Rico, through blended learning modalities under its

Online Division. This Division's main facility is currently located at Dewey University, Carolina

and serves the 4 educational centers attending academic sessions for the entire population. With

100% Hispanic, 100% Pell grant eligible (low-income) population, an average age distribution of

25-29, and 82% of women primarily, DU actual enrollment is 1,157 students ( Fall 2022) of

which, according to the admission application system, 80% prefer to study through the online

division. Puerto Rico's near-term economic performance is overshadowed by a large cloud of

uncertainty as the Island tries to address the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurricane Maria, and the

central government's bankruptcy, in addition to unemployment rate 6.4% (June 2022). Taking

this into consideration, it is safe to say that post-secondary education represents an economic

opportunity not only for personal growth, but also for social growth, much needed at this time.

Project Activities and Services: DU-Carolina; (Online Division) proposes the following

activities and services:

(1) Promote the study and awareness of Modeling and Simulation.

(2) Develop New Academic Program

(3) Enhance existing programs through simulation labs

Goals and Expected Outcomes: The project’s overarching goals are to Promote the study,

Develop and Establish a certificate program and complement existing courses through

modeling, virtual environments and simulation strategies. Raise awareness of Modeling

and Simulation as learning success strategies, and

Absolute Priorities and Competitive Preference Priority: The proposed project responds to

Absolute Priority 2; Establishing Modeling and Simulation Programs and also to Competitive

Preference Priority 2 - Promoting Equity a Student Access to Educational Resources and Opportunities.

The study used to support the evidence requirement:

Acuña, M. (2019, 08 30). Aprendizaje Inmersivo: aplicando la realidad virtual en el aula.

https://www.evirtualplus.com/aprendizaje-inmersivo-realidad-virtual-aula/#%C2%BFQue_es_el_apren

dizaje_inmersivo

Year 1 Budget Request: DU-C requests $288,750.00 for Year 1 of this MSP Program, the first

MSP application ever undertaken by Dewey University-Carolina, Online Division.

Dewey University (PR) $866,249.95 

Project Title: Awareness of the Development and Promotion of Success in Learning through the Study and Implementation 

of a Modeling Program, Virtual Environments and Simulation (VirtualEd-MES)