Dr. Lauren Cooper is a new Teaching Associate Professor in the CU Boulder - Western Colorado University Partnership Program. Through this program, students earn CU Boulder Mechanical Engineering degrees while living and going to school in Gunnison, CO. Prior to her current position, Dr. Cooper was an Assistant Professor at Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo in Mechanical Engineering. Her research interests include engineering education, student motivation, project-based learning, and outdoor industry engineering. Dr. Cooper earned her M.S. in Building Systems Engineering and her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, both from CU Boulder. She is a big Buffs fan and so happy to be here at CU Boulder!
How are getting involved and/or hoping to get involved within the CEAS community?
My position is different from most CEAS positions because I live and teach full-time in Gunnison, CO through the Mechanical Engineering Partnership Program with Western Colorado University. But 鈥� since I went to CU Boulder for my M.S. and Ph.D., I still have great connections with CU. For example, this past summer I collaborated with Dr. Daniel Knight and some of his students to offer a science and engineering camp to our local Gunnison youth. We will be working together over the upcoming year to offer this camp again.
How do you enjoy practicing self-care and/or community care?
Being deep in nature recharges me, which is why Gunnison is such a great fit. Despite the fact that Gunnison winters ARE cold, the skiing is amazing. And once the snow melts, a whole different side of Gunnison emerges - endless trails of mountain biking, hiking, and wildflowers, as well as plenty of rivers to kayak.
What is an ordinary moment in your life that brings you joy?
Any moment where I am learning or creating something new. I love being one of the founding faculty members of our CU Boulder 鈥� Western Colorado Partnership program. Every day is different and exciting and full of moments where I am generating new ideas, learning new skills, and feeling inspired by the creativity of my colleagues and students here.
One thing you鈥檙e willing to spend way too much on...
Kids! I love being around kids! I have two small daughters of my own, who both fill my life with so much joy. Beyond my kids, I derive a lot of value from being involved with kids in the community. In addition to starting an engineering & science summer camp here in Gunnsinon.聽I am a leader of a girl scout troop. I also visit local middle and high schools to talk to students about engineering.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Coffee ice cream, or any kind of cold blended coffee drink. I enjoy these year round, regardless of the freezing temperatures here in Gunnison.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
I think it was from a Celestial Seasonings tea bag, or maybe from a church sign on the side of the road. In any case, it was: "Go alone to go fast, go together to go far.鈥� This helps remind me that collaborating with others is the true road to success and wellbeing.