TomConnolly

About

Thomas Connolly is the Director of Teaching Assistant Certification and an engineering education specialist in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. A former aerospace and mechanical engineer who worked on projects for NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense, Connolly has dedicated much of his career to helping engineering students and educators succeed in the classroom.

Since joining the Cockrell School in 2013, he has developed and led innovative programs that prepare graduate teaching assistants to become effective instructors, mentors, and advocates for student success. His work emphasizes active learning, student engagement, formative assessment, and evidence-based teaching practices that foster both academic rigor and a supportive learning environment.

Connolly also serves as Academic Director of the Engineering Education Institute for the Fulbright Junior Faculty Development Program for Egypt, where he combines his passions for engineering, teaching, and international education. Through this program, he mentors emerging faculty members, promotes cross-cultural exchange, and helps strengthen engineering education globally.

A first-generation college graduate, Connolly earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from UT Austin, and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from UT Austin. As a lecturer in both aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering, he remains deeply connected to students and is committed to creating learning environments where every aspiring engineer has the opportunity to succeed.

Educational Qualifications

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin

M.S., Aerospace Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin

B.E., Mechanical Engineering, Stony Brook University

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