Updates from the Director

Updates from the Director

Fireside Chat with Auden Chase

February 11, 2025

Auden Chase graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. After spending some time working in industry, he decided to pursue his professional master’s degree through the ChBE M.Eng. program. Auden recently shared his reasons for deciding to earn an M.Eng. degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, his thoughts on the program, and some advice for prospective students.

What inspired you to join the ChBE M.Eng. program at the University of Illinois?

My initial interest in the graduate program came as the result of a presentation given by a current faculty member. Dr. Paul Kenis, a professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering, gave a presentation to prospective graduate students following a symposium on his electrochemistry research. While I already had some desire to further my education prior to his arrival, the lecture was what eventually convinced me to pursue the graduate program as a full-time student. I eventually returned to school after two years of serving as a consultant in the process control industry.

While I credit this talk as the primary source of my inspiration, there were several other factors that further motivated my decision to join the first cohort. First of all, even though my work experience had equipped me with many technical skills, it did not teach me the leadership and business skills that I needed to be effective in a managerial position. The professional Master of Engineering program at the University of Illinois is unique in that it is specifically designed to integrate these skills with traditional chemical engineering courses. This is due in large part to the internal partnerships formed between the Grainger College of Engineering and the Gies College of Business. Secondly, the graduate program gives students the opportunity to network with individuals who will aid in not only their academic journey, but in their professional journey as well. These networking opportunities are one of the many benefits of the personal development workshops that are included in the curriculum.

What has been the learning experience in the ChBE M.Eng. program that you would like to share with all prospective students?

I think the most important learning experience so far has been the personal development workshops. These events, which are unique to the graduate program, give students the opportunity to gain leadership insights by interacting directly with alumni. Every member that I heard from had advice that was relevant to my future career aspirations. Furthermore, it was inspiring to see the success of individuals who had once been in my position as a full-time student.

As a student in the first cohort, do you feel the ChBE M.Eng. program provides the right environment for learning and professional development?

Absolutely. Despite the small size of the first cohort, faculty members were able to bring us together on multiple occasions to form lasting connections, both on campus and virtually. I also felt that faculty members did a fantastic job at providing resources to support students at every stage of their progress. For example, the director of the graduate program, Dr. Hong Yang, helped students find employment opportunities at the corporate research park on campus. He also put us in contact with members of the graduate student advisory council, who were available to answer questions about organizational policies and procedures.

What advice would you give to prospective students considering this program?

My advice to prospective graduate students is the following: if you choose to attend a professional Master of Engineering program, do not assume that it will be easier than a doctoral degree. These classes are hard, even for those of us who aced their undergraduate courses. However, the work you put in will serve you throughout your entire life. Specifically, the personal development workshops that I attended opened my eyes to possibilities I never thought possible. It also equipped me with the leadership and business skills necessary to realize those possibilities. So, if you want to enhance your job prospects and attend this graduate program, prepare to be uncomfortable. But, more importantly, prepare to grow.

M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering Leadership online options 

February 18, 2025

To offer more flexible course schedules for our students, our program offers online, in-person and part-time options. This video breaks down the expected length and tuition for each track. For more information and to learn about financial aid resources, visit https://chbe.illinois.edu/admissions/masters/tuition 

If you have any questions, please contact our program staff at chbe-meng@illinois.edu, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Capstone project 

February 3, 2025

Our program helps students gain project experience with processes that are essential to success in a professional environment. In today’s video, we share the concepts behind the program’s capstone project, through which students apply what they have learned to a real industry problem. I hope you find this video helpful.

My team is always available to answer your questions about our program. Reach out to our program staff at chbe-meng@illinois.edu, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Industry workshops 

January 13, 2025

Industry workshops are a key part of our program because of the hands-on learning opportunities they provide. These workshops allow our students to integrate the technical knowledge they have gained into problem-solving skills. I am sure that you will find this information helpful as you decide whether our program is the right fit for you.

Our program staff can be contacted at chbe-meng@illinois.edu. Let us know if you have any questions, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Degree requirements 

December 9, 2024

In our continuing series of webinar clips that explain our program in more detail, today’s video explores the degree requirements for our program. We explain the different courses and topics covered throughout the program for potential applicants.

If you have any questions about our program, we are happy to help. Contact our program staff at chbe-meng@illinois.edu, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Admissions decisions 

November 13, 2024

In this webinar clip we explain the admission decision process more deeply and share how the admissions committee evaluates applicants. I hope this video clarifies what considerations go into admission decisions.

You can always reach out to our program staff at chbe-meng@illinois.edu, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Admissions major application material 

October 21, 2024

Do you have questions about what materials are needed when applying to our program? This webinar clip explains exactly what materials application reviewers are looking for when you apply. This video should help you prepare for the application process. As a reminder, the application deadline for Spring 2025 enrollment is November 1, 2024. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to our program staff at chbe-meng@illinois.edu with any questions you may have. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Admission requirements 

October 7, 2024

With the deadline approaching for Spring 2025 admission (November 1, 2024), I am sharing a video that breaks down the key characteristics that make a star applicant. For those who want to ensure they are taking the right steps in their application, please watch the video to learn the admission requirements. 

My team and I are always here to answer any questions you have about the application process. You can direct all questions to our program staff at chbe-meng@illinois.edu, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

What makes the Chemical Engineering Leadership program unique

September 18, 2024

In this Director’s Update video, we explain how our program is positioned in The Grainger College of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and the Gies College of Business — which are all highly ranked. Our program leverages the expertise of each college to prepare students for a role in industry leadership. 

As always, we are here to answer any questions you have about the program. You can reach out to our staff at chbe-meng@illinois.edu, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Parts of the Chemical Engineering Leadership program 

September 5, 2024

As I mentioned in the last Director’s Update, we are releasing a series of short videos that answer common questions about our program. Today’s video explains the three major components of the M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering Leadership program. Through the curriculum, industry workshops, and a capstone project, students will learn how to fully apply classwork to their career. I hope you will find the video helpful. If you have any questions, please reach out to our program staff. 

Quick facts about the M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering Leadership program

August 29, 2024

A few months ago, we held an informational webinar for people interested in our M.Eng. program, where we discussed the program highlights and addressed frequently asked questions. In coming weeks, we will be sharing clips from that webinar so the information is easily available to potential students who want to learn more about the logistical elements of the M.Eng. As is explained in this first video, our program is designed to be flexible and fit into anyone’s career plans: 

I hope you find this video helpful. We will be sharing more short, informational clips in coming weeks. In the meantime, we are here to answer any questions you have about the application process. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our program staff at chbe-meng@illinois.edu, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Fall 2024 Application Reviews and Offers

March 12, 2024