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Jenifer Blacklock, Director of Western Colorado University-CU Boulder Engineering Partnership Program

Jenifer Blacklock and family
Since January 2021, Jeni has been the Director of the Western Colorado University-CU Boulder Engineering Partnership Program in Gunnison, CO where CU Boulder degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science are offered to undergraduate students. Over the past decade Jeni has launched several academic programs, starting with the BS in Mechanical Engineering degree at Colorado School of Mines in 2011 and the Advanced Manufacturing MS degree and certificate programs at Colorado School of Mines in 2016. Jeni was one of the first faculty hires for the Western-CU Boulder Engineering Partnership Program in 2021, which has grown to over ten instructors and lecturers and over 200 students in the past 2.5 years.

Jeni has been active in engineering education research around sociotechnical thinking and engineering identities. She was recently Co-PI on a $2M NSF grant focusing on workforce development in advanced manufacturing. Jeni has secured over $1M worth of project funding over the past two years along with private scholarships to support project-based learning. Finally, Jeni recently obtained two grants to support a summer research program for undergraduates. This program is composed of students from both the Western and CMU partnership programs along with students from the CU Boulder main campus.

The Western-CU Boulder engineering partnership program is always looking for collaborators, whether it is course offerings, summer research, K-12 summer programming, or seminars. Gunnison, CO is a beautiful place to visit year-round, and CU Boulder colleagues are always welcome to visit.

Jeni is an avid skier and mountain biker. She has competed in several Xterra triathlons and completed a full Ironman. Jeni completed her PhD through the Max Planck Institute in Germany under a Fulbright Fellowship and has traveled to 31 different countries.

What have been some meaningful ways in which you have felt welcomed to CEAS?
The support from CEAS has been incredible. I am grateful to be part of a team that is willing and able to solve problems creatively. Many of the processes are unique for the partnership program since we work with two universities. Having such a supportive team has been instrumental for the success of the partnership program. From the ME and CS home departments to the college and HR, the support for the partnership program has been nothing but supportive.

How are getting involved and/or hoping to get involved within the CEAS community?
Even though the partnership program is in Gunnison, CO, our team makes frequent trips to the CU Boulder main campus to participate in activities and meetings. We truly enjoy the people we work with and collaborating with others on the main campus. We are only a 5hr drive or a 28 min flight away!

How do you enjoy practicing self-care and/or community care?
Being an avid mountain biker and skier, I believe that the outdoors is a space to reflect, and problem solve.

What has been your favorite work or personal project so far?
Launching the Western-CU Boulder partnership program! I have been able to contribute to building an incredible team of educators who are passionate about engineering education. We have maintained small classroom sizes and strong industry collaborations and support. The Western-CU Boulder Engineering Partnership Program is everything I would have wanted as an undergraduate and we are proud of the program that we have created.

Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Cambodia.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?  
I came in 35th for my age group in the full Coeur d’Alene Ironman in 2012.

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