Paul Snider
Professor of Practice, Engineering
Paul Snider is a third-generation K-Stater. He received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Kansas State University in 1992 and returned in August 2022 to serve as a professor of practice at his alma mater to help students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the workforce, just as he did as a student at K-State. Before returning to K-State, Paul lived in Colorado, where he held numerous roles at Ball Aerospace.
What does being an ID3A affiliate mean to you?
Being an ID3A affiliate means the opportunity to create a network of colleagues and professionals outside of the College of Engineering. Meeting with these other individuals allows us a space to share ideas, discuss the research we are conducting, and discover ways in which we can help each other. The affiliate program is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with colleagues I might not have met or connected with otherwise and learn more about what's happening across the university.
Why do you value working in an interdisciplinary model across focus areas and colleges?
I value working and teaching in an interdisciplinary model because of the collaborative opportunities that arise from working with people who have different backgrounds and skill sets from my own. I teach an interdisciplinary capstone course that brings together students from electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering and computer science. The course teaches them to combine their skills from different focus areas and work together to achieve their final project goal.
Why do you feel you and your background are beneficial to this program?
My engineering skills and mechanical engineering background certainly make me a valuable asset to the program. When I was living and working in Colorado, I spent part of my time working on the creation and launch of satellites. I have brought those skills and experience with me to K-State, and I am working with my capstone students to design and launch a satellite. The research that my students and I are putting into this project could be greatly beneficial to agriculture in Kansas and across the Midwest.
What excites you most about joining ID3A?
The institute has a vision for the future and continues to advance digital technology in agriculture. They are advancing the future of agriculture through machine learning, artificial intelligence, and remote sensing, and are utilizing machine and computing power to enhance past practices. The opportunity to work together to analyze data and interpret new ideas is not only great for the members of the affiliate program but also for others across K-State and the country.