CofC Professors of Practice Share Industry Knowledge
Industry experts serve as professors of practice to integrate classroom learning with practical application.
College of Charleston engineering students are receiving firsthand industry knowledge from several distinguished professors of practice. These professionals bridge the gap between academia and industry with extensive experience in their fields.
Through the appointment of professors of practice, the College connects students with professionals who have navigated and shaped the industries students aspire to join. Distinguished professors of practice serve students in various ways; some teach courses while others provide one-on-one collaboration on research projects or advise campus leadership on innovation and curricula.
Ludger Reckmann
As a distinguished professor of practice, Ludger “Lu” Reckmann teaches a 400-level special projects engineering course called Industry 4.0 and Digital Shop Floor Management. He began teaching at the College as an adjunct professor in 2022 with nearly 30 years of professional experience in the automotive industry, previously serving as the CEO of several automotive suppliers, including ZF Transmissions, Kendrion North America and IFA Rotorion North America.
“During my active time as CEO, my company experienced a shortage of qualified engineers,” he says. “I decided to teach engineering classes to attract more students for technical positions for the industry of South Carolina.”
Engineering students will find many career opportunities in South Carolina with companies like Boeing, Volvo, Scientific Research Corporation, Mercedes-Benz Vanz, Cummins, Bosch, Google, the Naval Information Warfare Center and others.
In his class, Reckmann provides students with firsthand examples of how smart technology and interconnected applications, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and AI/machine learning, are applied in the field while visiting local plants.
Students have additional opportunities to learn from and discuss digital processes with industry representatives who give guest lectures during Reckmann’s course.
As a result of this hands-on professional experience, students have secured internships and completed capstones with companies they interacted with earlier in the class.
“The direct contact between industry professionals and students is a win-win,” Reckmann says. “Students experience products, processes and people in the ‘real world’ industry whereas the industry has the opportunity to attract talent after graduation to work for them.”
Rodney Goodman
A renowned expert in AI, machine learning, chip design and manufacturing, Rodney Goodman has conducted seminars for CofC faculty and students on research in electronic nose chip design. He currently lends his professional expertise to the College by mentoring an MBA student who is working on a special project.
Goodman brings an extensive range of knowledge and experience to campus as a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, a fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology of Great Britain and CEO of Gaea Corporation. He previously taught electrical engineering at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) and served as the National Science Foundation’s director of the Center for Neuromorphic Systems Engineering at the university.
With an extensive background in advanced electronic systems, intelligent technologies and experience founding start-up companies from academic research, Goodman demonstrates how to actualize ideas with modern-day technology.
“I can use [these experiences] to both encourage engineering students to utilize their ideas and to avoid common pitfalls,” he said.
Learning from Goodman’s professional experience with AI and machine learning, his graduate student developed interactive websites and wrote demo programs by leveraging AI tools.
By working with a professor of practice, students can apply their academic knowledge to real-world problems and solutions in the field.
Katarina Fjording
Katarina Fjording serves as a distinguished professor of practice and senior vice president for innovation and industry engagement, advising leadership on innovative curricula that addresses modern workforce needs.
An engineer and senior executive, Fjording has nearly four decades of experience in the automotive industry, previously holding multiple leadership roles at Volvo Cars and Ford Motor Company overseeing major operations in Europe, Asia and America. Most recently, she worked as the Head of Volvo Car University and Sustainability for Volvo Cars America.
“Katarina brings a wealth of executive-level experience to the College of Charleston as well as a diverse network of relationships throughout the region,” President Andrew T. Hsu told The College Today in 2024. “We are excited to have her join our leadership team and work to enhance our institution’s industry partnerships and engagements.”
Aside from her work with the College, Fjording is currently a senior advisor and consultant through her company Fatum and the COO of Coastal 8, where she works to integrate sustainability and resiliency systems into coastal communities.
Fjording’s experience helps prepare students for today’s job market and ever-evolving industry.
Fred Smith
Fred Smith brings more than 40 years of experience in the aerospace industry to the College. With degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Purdue University, and professional accomplishments that includes co-inventor on several patents, co-authoring multiple published papers and leadership in design optimization, Smith offers a deep well of technical knowledge and real-world insight.
His previous industry experience includes 30 years working for the aerospace giant Rolls Royce, and his academic experience includes 15 years as an adjunct professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, where he taught a senior and graduate-level course in design optimization. Smith is current an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Smith’s combined industry background and academic experience lends meaningful expertise and integrates practical knowledge into education. His involvement as a distinguished professor of practice provides students with the perspective of someone who has spent decades solving complex problems in aerospace engineering.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Exploring real-world applications of academic studies through interactions with industry experts illuminates new opportunities for students. Distinguished professors of practice foster student success by integrating academic learning with career development, preparing students to excel in today’s workforce and lead the industries of the future.
