Josephine Escobar

Background

Josephine Escobar is on the faculty of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington. Before Porter, Josephine was a test engineer for an off-highway vehicle manufacturer.

Josephine's work centers on teaching and curriculum in energy systems and tribology, including course redesign and mentoring newer instructors.

Areas of expertise

• Energy systems
• Tribology
• Undergraduate research and project mentoring

Teaching

Josephine regularly teaches courses in Mechanical Engineering. Specific sections and syllabi are listed in the class schedule each term.

Josephine designs courses around clear, visible learning outcomes, frequent retrieval practice, and prompt feedback, and revises the sequence each year based on where students actually get stuck.

Advising and office hours

Josephine advises students in the Mechanical Engineering programs and holds weekly office hours during the fall and spring terms, posted on the office door and in the course pages. Prospective students are welcome to email to arrange a visit or a call.

Advising conversations usually cover course sequencing, whether to add a minor or a concentration, and how classroom work connects to internships, research, or graduate study. Students who are undecided are welcome; part of the job is helping them narrow things down.

Recent and representative work

Josephine's recent activity centers on teaching scholarship and curriculum work in energy systems and tribology. Representative items:

• A redesigned course sequence in energy systems, with open or low-cost materials.
• A conference presentation on teaching tribology at the undergraduate level.
• Mentoring of new instructors and teaching assistants in the department.

Titles and venues here are illustrative. UW–Porter Falls is fictional; Josephine has no real publication record.

Get in touch

The fastest way to reach Josephine is email (jescobar@uwporterfalls.edu); messages during the fall and spring terms are usually answered within two business days. Prospective students and families can ask the Mechanical Engineering department office to set up a call, a class visit, or a meeting during an admitted-student day.