Research Interests

Engineering education; inquiry-based learning; student-centered learning; K-12 and outreach activities; creativity; seismic engineering

Education

• BS, Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities 1991
• MS, Civil/Structural Engineering, Stanford University 1992
• PhD, Civil/Structural Engineering, Stanford University 1996

Awards

• New Hampshire Professor of the Year, 2013
• Jerome Goldstein Award for Distinguished Teaching, Dartmouth College, 2012
• Excellence in Teaching Award, Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth, 2012
• Teacher of the Year Award, College of Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, 2002
• Nominated twice for the Most Supportive Professor Award, College of Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, 2000 & 2002

Professional Activities

• Registered Professional Engineer, State of New Hampshire
• Registered Professional Engineer, State of California

Research Projects

• AAU STEM Project on Teaching Evaluation

  AAU STEM Project on Teaching Evaluation

  With support from the Association of American Universities (AAU), we are creating a system for teaching evaluation that integrates evidence-based evaluation data from three sources: student course assessments, peer observation, and self-reflection. Existing student course assessments are being augmented to focus on observable best practices, rather than students' intuitive impression of the instructor. Peer observations are conducted in accordance with a consistent protocol, which includes guided pre-briefing and debrief sessions between the observer and observee. Self-reflection allows each instructor to note and report on their progress toward the implementation of best teaching practices. The system is currently being piloted and assessed en route to broader implementation. Learn more

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Selected Publications

• May, Vicki. Lecture Capture at Dartmouth. Available at: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dcal. June, 2008
• May, Vicki V., Luxon, Thomas H., Weaver, Kathy S, and Esselstein, Rachel. "Development of Case Stories by Interviewing Students about their Critical Moments in Science, Math, and Engineering Classes." Numeracy, Volume 1, Issue 1, Article 5. January, 2008
• May, Vicki. "Student Development of Class Notes using a Wiki as an Alternative to a Single Course Textbook." Proceedings for the 2008 ASEE Zone 1 Conference. West Point, NY. March, 2008
• Hansen, Eric, Stein, Ellen, and May, Vicki. "Work in Progress: Building Community among First-Year Engineering Students." Frontiers in Education Conference. Saratoga Springs, NY. October, 2008
• May, Vicki. Clickers at Dartmouth. Available at: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dcal. September, 2007
• May, Vicki, and Brady, Pamalee, "Lessons Learned Teaching Engineering Online to Architecture and Construction Management Students," ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference. Boulder, CO, November, 2003

Courses

• ENGS 71: Structural Analysis
• ENGS 21: Introduction to Engineering

Videos

News

Dartmouth Engineering Selected to Develop Models for STEM Teaching Evaluation
Feb 08, 2022

Collaborations: Tiny House
Mar 15, 2021

Undergraduate Projects Address COVID-19 Problems
Jun 16, 2020

Dartmouth Tiny House No Small Wonder
Nov 26, 2019

Dartmouth Works With Middle Schools to Enhance STEM Education
Aug 22, 2019

Dartmouth Creates Campus Climate and Culture Initiative
Jan 07, 2019

What did you do on winter break?
May 16, 2017

Engineering inspiration: Thayer meets its composer
May 16, 2017

Composer Molly Herron Inspired by Materials Science and Engineering Research
May 16, 2017

Students Make Musical Instruments for Thayer's Birthday Party
Jan 16, 2017

Engineering Students Work With 3-D Renderings of Museum Objects
Jul 20, 2015

DartmouthX: One Course Underway, One Coming Back
May 28, 2015

Registration for Second DartmouthX Online Course Now Open
Feb 05, 2015

Vicki May on What It Takes to Be an Engineer
Sep 02, 2014

NAE Presents Nation's Top Prize for Engineering Education to Dartmouth
May 14, 2014

Stocking Stuffers for the Budding Engineer
Dec 22, 2013

Dartmouth Engineering Professor Vicki May Named NH Professor of the Year
Nov 14, 2013

Thayer Students Tackle a 'Real-World Problem' in Haiti
Jun 05, 2013

$300 House Update!
Jun 04, 2013

Dartmouth Engineering Professors Discuss Promising Technologies for the Environment
Apr 15, 2013

Ten Professors Honored With Faculty Awards
Jul 23, 2012

Dartmouth President Kim to Give Keynote Address to Open $300 House Design Workshop
Jan 24, 2012

Faculty Selected to Participate in Frontiers of Engineering Education Symposium
Oct 13, 2011

Dartmouth awarded $2.5 million to work with middle schools to foster science interest and creativity
Mar 06, 2011

In the News