Electronic Engineering Technology Program Director: Dr. Ronnie Bolick

Electronic Engineering Technology Program Director, Greensboro Campus

The owner of several patents and dozens of scholarly articles, Dr. Bolick brings a wealth of experience to his students. He was a senior research scientist and project manager for Advanced Composites Research and Training Center where he led projects for NASA, Lockheed Martin, Wright Patterson Air Force Research Laboratory, Northrop Grumman, Volvo, and the Office of Naval Research.

[Tweet “Career highlights include developing manufacturing processes for Alumina ceramic matrix composites for the space station and space shuttle design heat shield tiles and meteoroid protection.”]

Career highlights include developing manufacturing processes for Alumina ceramic matrix composites for the space station and space shuttle design heat shield tiles and meteoroid protection. An expert in nanotechnology. Dr. Bolick has also developed a unique electro-spinning process for the manufacture of Silicon Dioxide nano-fibers that are being tested in fire suits for thermal protection, helmets for impact protection, and bullet resistance. The material is also being tested for potential energy storage capability such as batteries and fuel cells.

In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Bolick is currently a principal at Spyder Fiber Technologies where he has invented a novel composite manufacturing process that produces the highest load-carrying capability of any composite to date. A Six Sigma Certified professional, he does more than teach. Dr. Bolick helps develop critical thinkers who can follow a disciplined process.

[Tweet “When you’re working with someone, and at that moment when they understand and get how to do the work, you see that twinkle in their eyes like they are saying, ‘I got it. I know what you’re saying and how to use it.’”]

Why Do You Enjoy Teaching?

“It makes me feel like I am helping when students overcome challenges and get the concepts and see them apply them in other areas. When you’re working with someone, and at that moment when they understand and get how to do the work, you see that twinkle in their eyes like they are saying, ‘I got it. I know what you’re saying and how to use it.’ That is a great feeling.”

Please share an experience you had as a teacher that was especially memorable.

“I had helped a student in several of the classes they had taken with me and that student was having problems in a physics class understanding the material. They came to me after class and asked if I could help them with their physics work. We sat down and started with the math and how to problem solve and worked several problems. They began to understand and work the remaining problems on their own using the techniques I had shown them. After some time, they came back and thanked me, and brought another student for me to help. This lets you know that they trust you and then paid it forward.”