Dr. David Spang

Dr. David Spang serves as the second-ranking officer of Rowan College at Burlington County. He was appointed Senior Vice President and Provost in March 2015 after leading the college as Interim President the previous year. Dr. Spang, who was named the college’s first Provost in 2013, has been the college’s chief academic officer since a national search led to his appointment to Vice President of Academic Affairs in 2011. Before being appointed to the role of Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Spang served as Dean of the Science, Mathematics, and Technology Division. 

Dr. Spang received BS, MS, and PhD degrees from Rutgers University, in Material Science and Engineering. During his graduate studies Dr. Spang worked full-time as a process development engineer and senior research scientist. Dr. Spang then went on to earn a MBA degree, with a concentration in Innovation & Technology Management, also from Rutgers University, and subsequently worked in commercialization development.

Joining Burlington County College (now Rowan College at Burlington College) in 2005, Dr. Spang brings his working philosophy that includes helping students to develop themselves through higher learning throughout all stages of their lives. Dr. Spang believes the community college system is uniquely positioned to provide all individuals access to affordable and quality education and that students will seek out educational programs that improve their opportunities for employment in today’s highly competitive world.

As Senior Vice President and Provost, Dr. Spang is working to enhance those career opportunities with a student-centered focus on quality academic programs.

Dr. Spang has led the efforts to create the College’s Strategic Plan (January 2016), as well as several documents submitted to RCBC’s regional accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, including: a Progress Report (October 2016), a “3+1” Program Substantive Change request (March 2016), and a Periodic Review Report (June 2014). The Periodic Review Report resulted in reaffirmation of the college’s accreditation with five commendations: for a well-written report and complementary documents, for the ongoing professional development training and student support, for undertaking the large number of self-assessments with the changes taking place in leadership over the previous 18 months, for the college’s consistent commitment of self-reflection evaluation, and for the quality of the Periodic Review Report and process. Previously, Dr. Spang chaired a subcommittee for the college’s Middle States decennial accreditation effort and has chaired the successful ABET accreditation efforts at the college.

Dr. Spang has taught the college’s introductory Material Science and Engineering class, EGR-212 , and has taught a similar course previously at SUNY Maritime College, as well as project management courses (Project, Cost & Risk, and Contract & Procurement) at the Keller Graduate School of Management in New York City.

Dr. Spang serves on the Board of Directors of the College Industry Partnerships Division (CIPD) of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), an appointment that enables him to further ASEE’s and RCBC’s efforts to create partnerships and foster collaboration between academia and industry.

Dr. Spang is a regular presenter and contributor to the body of knowledge in higher education innovation, which includes work stemming from his leadership with National Science Foundation grants, NASA grants, and other areas of strategic importance. A partial list is provided below:

• A Mechanical Engineering Technology Baccalaureate Degree via the ”3+1” Pathway,” David I. Spang and Edem Tetteh, Rowan College at Burlington County; and Ratneshwar Jha, Rowan University; American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Virtual Conference, June 2020. Paper ID# 30157.
• “An Innovative Mechanical Engineering Technology Pathway Aligned with Industry Needs ,” David I. Spang and Edem Tetteh, Rowan College at Burlington County; and Ratneshwar Jha, Rowan University; American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, Tampa, Florida, June 2019. Paper ID# 27195.
• “Novel Material Properties from High Turbulence Coaxial Jet Mixing: Modeling and Characterization,” David I. Spang , Rowan College at Burlington County; Materials Science and Technology 2018 (Symposium: Advanced Manufacturing, Processing, Characterization and Modeling of Functional Materials), Columbus, Ohio, October 2018.
• “A Model for Aligning Engineering Technology Curriculum with Industry Needs,” David I. Spang and Edem Tetteh, Rowan College at Burlington County; and Eric Constans, Rowan University; American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 2018. Paper ID# 23264.
• “Modeling of Coaxial Jet Mixing for Novel Material Properties,” David I. Spang , Rowan College at Burlington County; Materials Science and Technology 2017 (Symposium: Advanced Manufacturing, Processing, Characterization and Modeling of Functional Materials), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 2017.
• "Two-Year College and University Collaboration in Creating Advanced Manufacturing Curricula and Programs,” David I. Spang and Edem Tetteh, Rowan College at Burlington County; and Eric Constans, Rowan University; American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, Columbus, Ohio, June 2017. Paper ID# 20221.
• "A Student Outcomes Assessment Methodology for Technology-Based and Hands-On Intensive Curricula," David I. Spang and Kathryn E. Strang, Rowan College at Burlington County; American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, June 2016. AC2016-17000.
• "Curriculum Design and Assessment to Address the Industry Skills Gap,” David Spang, Burlington County College.  American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, June 2014. AC2014-10454.
• "Real-World Applications of Mathematical and Scientific Principles in the Curriculum for College and Career Success,” David Spang, Burlington County College; Kathleen Spang, Middlesex Borough High School.  American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, San Antonio, Texas, June 2012. AC2012-5124.
• "Community College Relationships: The Drexel at Burlington County College Partnership,” David Spang and Robert Ariosto, Burlington County College; and N. John DiNardo, Jamie Brooks, and Casey Turner, Drexel University.  The College Board Regional Forum, Baltimore, Maryland, January 2012.
• "Community College Relationships: The Drexel at Burlington County College Program,” David Spang and Robert Ariosto, Burlington County College; and N. John DiNardo, Jamie Brooks, and Casey Turner, Drexel University.  The College Board National Forum, New York, New York, October 2011.
• "Opportunities for Students and Faculty Stemming from Engineering Technology Program Reform,” David Spang, Burlington County College; Vladimir Genis, Drexel University.  American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, June 2010. AC2010-1262.
• "Collaboration Among Universities and Community Colleges in Developing Dual-Enrollment Programs,” Gerry Marekova and Vladimir Genis, Drexel University; David Spang, Burlington County College. American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, June 2010. AC2010-542.
• "Institution-Level Reform of an Engineering Technology Program,” David Spang, Burlington County College; Vladimir Genis, Drexel University.  American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, Austin, Texas, June 2009. AC2009-1288.
• "Improving Engineering Technology Programs with Multidisciplinary Partners,” David Spang and Cathlene Leary-Elderkin, Burlington County College.  League for Innovations in the Community College Conference, Learning and Teaching Section, Reno, Nevada, March 2009.
• "Engaging Community College and Secondary School Faculty in Curriculum Development,” David Spang and Cathlene Leary-Elderkin, Burlington County College.  Faces of Success, ATE (Advanced Technological Education) National Principal Investigators Conference, Washington DC, October 2008.
• "Development of NDE (non-destructive evaluation) Laboratory for AET (applied engineering technology) Students and Certification Program,” Vladimir Genis, Drexel University; David Spang, Burlington County College; Alexander Genis, G.I.I., Inc.; Tony Midora, PMT, Inc.  Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, June 2007. AC2007-251.