Faculty Directory

Sue Spade

Sue Spade

Adjunct Faculty | Physics

(She/Her/Hers)
  • 412.397.4070
  • Allegheny Campus, KLI304
  • Faculty office hours are available through self-service.
Degree Emphasis Institution
M.S. Electrical Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology
B.E.E. Bachelor of Electrical Engineering University of Dayton
B.A. Mathematics Oberlin College
A.A. Liberal Arts Lorain County Community College

Biography

Ms. Spade started teaching physics classes part-time at CCAC Allegheny campus in Spring 2009. During various semesters, she has taught physics, a few math classes, advised students working on physics projects in the honors program, worked as a Math Cafe facilitator at Allegheny campus, North campus, West Hills Center, and done academic advising at Allegheny campus. Her full-time job is Senior Lecturer of Engineering at Robert Morris University, where she teaches General Engineering courses.

Ms. Spade’s professional background includes extensive industrial engineering and project management experience in telecommunications, transportation and logistics, and consumer goods manufacturing. Her master’s degree was fully funded by her employer, as she was one of two engineers selected for Sprint Corporation’s inaugural fellowship program, where her job assignment for one year was to successfully complete a master’s degree in engineering. Her Bachelor of Electrical Engineering was funded by a National Science Foundation grant to recruit 30 women into engineering from a nationwide pool of candidates who already held bachelor’s degrees in mathematics or science.

  • Recipient of 2023-2024 Engagement with Students Award from RMU Student Government Association.
  • Assigned academic advisor to 40 undergraduate Mechanical Engineering students at RMU.
  • Community representative on Moon Area School District’s team that developed and presented 5-year Strategic/Comprehensive Plan to MASD school board in January 2024, to be forwarded to PA Department of Education.
  • Gifted Youth Coordinator for Western Pennsylvania Mensa, a commitment to organize activities, assist the parents of Young Mensans (ages 6 to 17) to connect with each other, and become familiar with local, state, and national organizations providing support for children.
  • Peer reviewer for American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference & Exposition.
  • Judge for RMU Undergraduate Research Conference poster presentations and panels.
  • Faculty advisor to RMU student chapter of Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW).

Two former students from my physics classes are faculty members at CCAC.

My role is to help students be successful in the courses I teach, add to their knowledge, build their confidence, and foster a growth mindset among them. Also, as a successful female in traditionally male STEM fields, one of my primary goals as an educator is to serve as a positive role model.

I am a community college graduate.

"There is a difference between not knowing and not knowing YET!"