The influence of the Engineering Communications Program in Cornell Engineering was on full display at IEEE’s International Professional Communications Conference (ProComm), held in Sønderborg, Denmark, in July 2025. In addition to helping to run the conference itself, Cornell faculty shared their research, course innovations and leadership initiatives.
“Our faculty have long been active in IEEE ProComm,” said Traci Nathans-Kelly, the Robert N. Noyce Director of the Engineering Communications Program. “This year, our growth and success as a benchmark program for engineering and technical communication could be seen throughout the conference, from paper presentations to participation on the ProComm Board of Governors.”
Allison Hutchison, ProComm co-chair and associate director of the Engineering Communications Program, presented a co-authored paper with Cornell students Hudson Tumey ’25 and Luke Stewart ’26 about their successful work co-creating an engineering capstone curriculum with the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering. Back at Cornell, Hutchison and the students have collaborated closely on the course with Sunghwan “Sunny” Jung, professor of biological and environmental engineering, and Christina Sheley, the associate university librarian for research, teaching, and engagement.
Also at ProComm 2025, Rick Evans, emeritus director of the program, was honored with the Ronald S. Blicq Award for Distinction in Technical Communication Education, which recognizes innovative educators who have influenced the ways that technical communication is taught.
“Nominating Rick for the Blicq award and presenting it to him, alongside presenting a curricular project with students, was truly an honor, as both a Cornellian and an IEEE ProComm member,” Hutchison said. “We hope to continue promoting the collaborative student and faculty partnerships that make our program and our work distinctive.”
IEEE ProComm benefits significantly from the participation of Cornell faculty, including Suzanne Lane, a senior lecturer who is the current ProComm president. Cornell Engineering’s Hua Wang, senior lecturer, served as the submissions co-chair of the 2025 conference. Nathans-Kelly serves as ProComm vice president of content, and Hutchison serves as the vice president for conferences. At previous conferences, Nathans-Kelly has received the organization’s Alfred N. Goldsmith Award for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Communication and the Emily K. Schlesinger Award for Outstanding Service to the Professional Communication Society.