Christian Utara: Running Toward The Future
Anyone associated with EP knows that faculty and students alike bring valuable
real-world experience into the classroom. But few can appreciate this advantage as
much as Systems Engineering instructor Christian Utara.
He has been instrumental in developing and teaching specialized courses in the Systems Engineering Master's Program for MITRE Corporation - a contractor hired by the Federal government to evaluate the engineering components of acquisitions from other contractors. Since 2003, Utara has been teaching MITRE students, whose drive to excel makes them "challenging" for him just as his rigorous approach poses challenges for them.
He not only enjoys the give and take, but also feels that he's learning a lot. In its work, MITRE emphasizes enterprise engineering and a "system of systems" engineering approach, both of which are evolving in academia and in the commercial world, according to Utara. "It's a very dynamic area to teach," he says.
He has been teaching at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center since 1999, and can now combine what he's learned from the MITRE program with his considerable personal experience: electrical, software and systems engineering in the areas of air traffic control, combat identification systems and future ship platforms to enhance the public offering courses. This experience, along with his ability to energize and engage students, earned him a 2006 Excellence in Teaching Award.
"I've had the privilege of teaching every course in the Systems Engineering program," he says, reflecting on his seven years with EP. He's also the lead instructor for the post-graduate certificate program Enterprise Engineering course.
Some of Utara's activities at EP may impact education well beyond EP - and for years to come. Working under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Potocki, Utara is helping configure the "Classroom of the Future," putting experimental techniques and technologies to the test in his courses to see if they help instructors and students meet their objectives. Some of the new approaches relate directly to the special needs of EP students, like videoconferencing and internet-based collaborative communications that provide classroom access while traveling. Others have broader applicability, such as the dynamic use of computers in the classroom to bring resources into class discussions. All are assessed by Potocki and Utara to see if they do, indeed, belong in the classroom of the future.
When he's not working for the Navy, teaching, mentoring students, or spending time with his wife Petra in the new home they built in Southern Maryland, Utara enjoys strenuous sports. For years, that meant being a member of 2-on-2 and 4-on-4 sand volleyball teams. Lately, he's more likely to run for miles, training for marathon races. Surprisingly, he doesn't regard these sports as a change of pace. "I look at teaching as recreation," he says. "It's like an extracurricular activity for me, like volleyball or running. I really enjoy it!"