Kitaw Abraham Abtemariam
Chemical Engineer
Seattle,WA
Summary
- Innovative and student-focused educator with over 7 years of progressive experience in teaching, academic leadership, and curriculum development within Chemical Engineering and applied sciences. Skilled in designing inclusive and engaging learning environments, mentoring students, and leading interdisciplinary academic teams. Adept at integrating research, technology, and hands-on learning to support student success across diverse academic levels. Recognized for excellence in teaching, faculty development, and community engagement, with a strong commitment to equity, lifelong learning, and educational quality assurance.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Dean, College of Engineering
Debre Berhan University
Debre Berhan University
01.2023 - 12.2024
- Oversaw accreditation processes, maintaining compliance with institutional standards and ensuring continuous improvement of academic offerings.
- Enhanced department performance by implementing innovative teaching strategies and curriculum development methods.
- Communicated with university administrators and school officials.
- Increased faculty engagement by organizing professional development workshops and promoting mentorship opportunities within the department.
- Established mentorship program that paired senior students with freshmen, boosting academic success and retention rates.
- Guided and supported faculty and staff in development of new programs.
- Collaborated with faculty, staff and students to identify and address institutional challenges.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary events such as conferences or guest lectures that showcased the expertise of both internal and external scholars.
- Managed budgetary responsibilities effectively, ensuring proper allocation of funds to support essential operations and growth opportunities.
- Managed faculty evaluations, policy enforcement, and academic commission leadership.
- Coordinated budget planning, resource allocation, and institutional reporting.
- Led cross-functional teams to ensure academic excellence and compliance with educational standards.
- Launched new academic programs that addressed emerging trends and market demands, ensuring continued relevance for graduates entering the workforce.
Lecturer
Debre Berhan University
Debre Berhan
07.2018 - 02.2024
- Delivered undergraduate courses in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and related fields.
- Designed and updated course syllabi based on accreditation standards and student needs.
- Assessed student performance through exams, project work, presentations, and lab work.
- Supervised undergraduate research projects and theses, emphasizing scientific writing and methodology.
- Conducted institutional and applied research, contributing to publications and international conferences.
- Engaged in community service including school tutorials and Kaizen training.
- Participated in academic quality improvement, peer reviews, and educational audits.
- Created and designed quizzes, tests and projects to assess student knowledge.
- Developed and implemented innovative teaching strategies to engage students in lectures and coursework.
- Coordinated with industry professionals to offer guest lectures, bridging gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
- Assessed student learning outcomes, refining teaching methods to better meet educational goals.
- Cultivated critical thinking and analytical skills in students by incorporating case studies into curriculum.
- Conducted research on pedagogical methods, integrating findings into teaching practices to enhance student learning.
Academic Associate Dean
Debre Berhan University
Debre Berhan
09.2022 - 01.2023
- Oversaw academic programs in regular and continuing education divisions.
- Chaired curriculum committees and supported academic quality assurance.
- Led academic planning, reporting, and coordination with central administration.
- Assisted in curriculum development to align with current educational standards and improve overall course quality.
- Served on committees focused on improving the school-wide curriculum, contributing valuable insights based on subject expertise.
- Developed a reputation for exceptional classroom management skills that fostered a productive learning environment for all students consistently.
- Established a positive classroom environment that encouraged open communication and mutual respect among students.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary learning opportunities for students, fostering well-rounded intellectual growth.
- Ensured compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and accreditation requirements related to academic instruction.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in education and enhance teaching effectiveness.
- Mentored new faculty members, sharing effective teaching strategies and providing support throughout their integration process within the institution.
Course Coordinator
Debre Berhan University
Debre Berhan
10.2018 - 09.2022
- Directed academic activities including course scheduling, instructor assignment, and quality assurance.
- Initiated and supervised curriculum revisions and modular delivery implementation.
- Improved course organization by implementing efficient scheduling and resource allocation strategies.
- Streamlined communication between faculty, students, and administrators by maintaining a well-organized online platform for course updates and announcements.
- Managed administrative tasks such as grading submissions, tracking attendance records, and updating syllabi efficiently to ensure timely dissemination of information to all stakeholders.
- Coordinated guest lectures from industry professionals to expose students to real-world applications of course concepts.
- Optimized the use of classroom spaces and technology resources by creating a detailed inventory system and usage schedule.
- Contributed to curriculum development efforts by researching best practices in pedagogy, assessment design, and learning outcomes measurement.
- Managed departmental budgets, faculty appraisals, and academic reporting.
- Increased student satisfaction with course content by conducting regular feedback sessions and incorporating suggestions into future iterations of the curriculum.
- Assisted instructors in addressing individual student needs through targeted interventions and accommodations as necessary.
Assistant Lecturer
Debre Berhan University
Debre Berhan
10.2015 - 10.2016
- Initiated and facilitated classroom discussions.
- Boosted students'' critical thinking skills through active learning strategies and problem-solving activities.
- Developed strong rapport with students through clear communication, empathy, and genuine interest in their academic growth.
- Met with students during and after office hours to address concerns and offer feedback.
- Provided constructive and timely feedback to students to advise on areas of concern and suggest improvements.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design effective curriculum, resulting in better alignment of course objectives.
- Participated in weekly faculty meetings and contributed to curriculum review.
- Prepared and organized different teaching aids for use in classroom.
- Supported positive image of university by being responsive and promptly responding to requests and inquiries.
- Served on academic committees, actively contributing to discussions about the direction of the program and its courses.
Education
Master of Science - Chemical Engineering (Process Engineering)
Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa 05.2001 - 01.2018
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Bahir Dar University
Bahir Dar 05.2001 - 01.2014
Ph.D. - Chemical Engineering
National Taiwan University of Science & Technology
Taiwan 05.2001 -
Skills
Academic Leadership/Administration
Faculty collaboration and Development
Research and Project Management
Curriculum Development
Disciplinary action
Student Advising and guidance
School policies and protocols
Time management
Teamwork and collaboration
Computer skills
Certification
Python Programming, Debre Berhan University, 2021
Honors Accomplishments
- UNDP Research Grant Winner, Terrazzo from Brewery Waste Project
- Best Teacher of the Year, Debre Berhan University, 2016
- Published research, Hindawi, International conferences, India, 2022
Community Service
- Chemistry Tutor, Grade 12 Students, Baso Secondary and Preparatory School, 2020
- Kizen Training Facilitator, Chacha Primary School, 2022
Teacher Training Certification
Higher Diploma Program (HDP) Certified Instructor, Debre Berhan University, 2019-07-01
Additional Professional Training
Writing a Winning Grant Research Proposal, Debre Berhan University, 2022
Timeline
Dean, College of Engineering
Debre Berhan University
01.2023 - 12.2024
Academic Associate Dean
Debre Berhan University
09.2022 - 01.2023
Course Coordinator
Debre Berhan University
10.2018 - 09.2022
Lecturer
Debre Berhan University
07.2018 - 02.2024
Assistant Lecturer
Debre Berhan University
10.2015 - 10.2016
Master of Science - Chemical Engineering (Process Engineering)
Addis Ababa University
05.2001 - 01.2018
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Bahir Dar University
05.2001 - 01.2014
Ph.D. - Chemical Engineering
National Taiwan University of Science & Technology
05.2001 -