Julia Keen

Julia Keen's contributions to teaching are distinguished by sustained excellence, curriculum innovation, and a strong commitment to student success in architectural engineering education. At Kansas State University, she has developed and taught a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate and graduate courses in HVAC systems, energy codes, and integrated building design, many of which she created to align academic preparation with evolving industry demands. Her instructional approach emphasizes applied learning, systems thinking, and real-world problem solving. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Keen has made significant contributions through mentorship and student engagement. She has long served as faculty advisor to the ASHRAE student chapter, mentoring multiple national championship design competition teams. Her instructional excellence has been widely recognized through numerous recent university and college-level honors, including the 2024 Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Undergraduate Outstanding Teaching Award , the 2024 Commerce Bank and Kemper Foundation Undergraduate Outstanding Teaching Award, the 2023 College of Engineering Robert and Lila Snell Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award, the 2022 Richard and Hannah Kerschen Teaching Excellence Award, and the 2021 Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching. These distinctions reflect both her effectiveness in the classroom and her broader impact on engineering education. Collectively, Dr. Keen's teaching contributions demonstrate a holistic and high-impact approach that integrates curriculum development and student mentorship to advance learning outcomes and prepare the next generation of building industry professionals.