Manira Rani

Manira Rani

Manira Rani

Associate Educator

Electrical and Computer Engineering · College of Engineering

Wallace Hall 314
Main Campus

Overview

Associate Educator in Electrical and Computer Engineering with over 10 years of teaching experience, specializing in student success, curriculum development, and engineering education innovation. Actively engaged in outreach, recruitment, and retention initiatives that support departmental enrollment growth and student engagement. Dedicated to building pathways into engineering through inclusive outreach, strong industry collaboration, and evidence-based teaching practices.

Academic Interests and Expertise

Education:

  • MS in Computer Engineering, Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Florida
  • MS in International Fisheries Management, University of Tromso, Norway
  • MS in Fisheries, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • BS in Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Areas of Research Interest

  • Engineering education and student learning outcomes
  • Curriculum development aligned with industry and workforce needs
  • Outreach, recruitment, and retention strategies in engineering programs
  • Student engagement, persistence, and success in ECE pathways
  • Epistemological beliefs and problem-solving in engineering students

Areas of Teaching Interest

  • Digital systems and computer engineering fundamentals
  • Embedded systems and FPGA-based design
  • Programming and language instruction, emphasizing low-level computing concepts
  • Project-based learning in embedded systems and IoT, focusing on hands-on design, integration, and real-world problem solving

Awards and Honors

  • IEEE Nikola Tesla Award – Student-selected recognition for inspirational and engaging teaching
  • IEEE Favorite Teacher Award – Student-driven recognition for strong rapport and instructional impact
  • Duane and Velma Wallace College of Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award – College-level recognition for sustained teaching excellence and commitment to student success
  • Wichita State University Excellence in Teaching Award – University-wide recognition for outstanding teaching effectiveness and instructional impact
  • Academy for Effective Teaching (AET) Award – Selective, portfolio-based university honor recognizing excellence in pedagogy and sustained contributions to teaching
  • Experience-Based Learning Award  – Recognition for developing experiential, project-based learning initiatives that enhance student engagement and real-world learning outcomes

Grants

  • PI, “Shocker Flight Academy- An Interdisciplinary STEM Engagement Project for DEI Enhancement” ($37,610) NASA Kansas Space Grant Consortium
  • PI, “Applied Learning to Ignite Kansas’ Next-Generation Engineers” ($16,000)
  • Co-PI, Shocker Science Conversations – Interdisciplinary STEM Outreach” ($26,575) NASA Kansas Space Grant Consortium
  • Co-PI, “Applied Learning and Sustainability in Smart Communities ($105,000) , National Institute of Student Success

Areas of Service

  • Elected Faculty Senate Representative
  • Curriculum and Workforce Committee
  • Professional Development Committee
  • Industry partnership engagement and curriculum alignment initiatives
  • Student recruitment and retention activities
  • Outreach programs supporting engineering education pathways