Biography

I am a master’s student in civil engineering, specializing in structural engineering, with over three years of experience in engineering education research. My past research has focused heavily on observing changes in classroom environments and instructional practices over time, particularly during disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. My current research uses an anti-deficit perspective to examine how visuo-spatial skills are taught or perceived with the goal of broadening participation in engineering programs. Following the completion of my master’s degree, I hope to work towards a Ph.D in engineering education and pursue a career as a structural engineering professor.

Employment History

• University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Graduate Research Assistant, 05/2025-Present
• University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 12/2022-05/2025
• Kiewit Corporation, Structural Engineer Intern, 06/2022-08/2022

Areas of Research and Professional Interest

Broadening Participation in Engineering Programs

Engineering Student Motivation & Retention

Instructor Adaptability

Classroom Activities & Assessment Variety

Transparency & Communication Between Students & Instructors

3-D Spatial Visualization

Research Experience

CAREER: Re-envisioning Engineering Pedagogy to Support a Range of Visuo-spatial Skills, National Science Foundation, 06/2025-Present

Evidencing Epidemic Change in Engineering Education: Shedding Light on Instructor Adaptability and Course Complexity for Sustained Change, National Science Foundation, 04/2023-Present

RAPID: Faculty Adaptability and Community Engagement when Teaching in a Crisis, National Science Foundation, 01/2023-04/2023

Publications and Presentations

• Kerr, G.*, Wulf, H. J.*, & Panther, G. Student Supports and Instructor Transparency Identified in Engineering Syllabi over Nine Semesters. 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, OR, USA, 06/24/2025 *Shared First-Authorship
• Kerr, G.*, Wulf, H.*, Panther, G., & Diefes-Dux, H. Instructional Change in Engineering Undergraduate Courses: Evidence-Based Scoring of Syllabi and LMS Feature Use. UNL Student Research Days Undergraduate Poster Session, Lincoln, NE, USA, 04/15/2025 *Shared First-Authorship
• Wulf, H., Panther, G., & Diefes-Dux, H. Changes in Fairness and Academic Integrity Policies Across Nine Semesters as Evidenced in Mechanical Engineering Syllabi. Nebraska Summer Research Program Symposium, Lincoln, NE, USA, 08/06/2024
• Wulf, H. J., Panther, G., & Diefes-Dux, H. A. (2024). Indicators of Change in Mechanical Engineering Instructors’ Teaching Practices Across Five Years. 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, OR, USA, 06/23/2024
• Wulf, H., Kerr, G., Panther, G., & Diefes-Dux, H. Use of Syllabi to Determine Changes in the Facilitation of Learning in Engineering. UNL Student Research Days Undergraduate Poster Session, Lincoln, NE, USA, 03/27/2024

Service

• Mentor, UNL Engineering Education Research REU, 06/2025-Present
• VP of Membership, UNL Engineering Student Advisory Board, 05/2023-05/2025
• FE Quiz Bowl Co-Lead, 2025 ASCE Mid-America Student Symposium, 07/2024-04/2025

Honors and Awards

• 2025 Best Professional Interest Council (PIC) II Paper, ASEE Annual Conference (2025)
• Best Paper Award - First Place, ASEE Annual Conference - New Engineering Educators Division (2025)
• Best Diversity Paper Award - Third Place, ASEE Annual Conference - New Engineering Educators Division (2025)
• UNL Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences Funding (2024 - 2025)
• UNL College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Scholarship (2024, 2025)
• Outstanding Engineering Education Poster, Nebraska Summer Research Symposium (2024)
• Best Poster Award - Third Place, Nebraska Summer Research Symposium (2024)