If you ask Christopher Mance what he enjoys most about electrical engineering, he’ll tell you about how it helps you to understand what makes the world go around. In fact, that’s a big part of what he does as an electrical engineering instructor at Rowan College at Burlington County. Mance guides his students toward the discovery of how things work -- down to their basic circuitry and wiring.

Mance, who earned his master’s degree in engineering from Drexel University, spent 30 years working for Lockheed Martin in procurement engineering, parts management and technology refresh before retiring. Since retirement, he has supported and developed small businesses in the US Virgin Islands and was a substitute teacher locally. 

“I retired from Lockheed Martin and wanted to work with youth,” Mance said. “I started substitute teaching at local school districts and took an adjunct position at RCBC and liked it. A full-time position opened up, and here I am.”

Mance’s teaching philosophy aligns with the biblical verse found in Matthew 4:19 “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” An apt analogy for a man who enjoys fishing during his free time. 

The key takeaway of that verse -- feeding a man for a lifetime -- is what RCBC strives to do through student job placement and employer exposure. As is the case with many of RCBC’s programs, the engineering department prioritizes workforce preparation and provides students access to field experts and networking opportunities. With employer partners like Denton Vacuum and Lockheed Martin, students are able to find their fit as interns in the workplace. 

As for Mance’s personal take after decades of experience, he feels it’s important to understand not only where you’re going but also how to get there. 

“After 35 years working across many engineering disciplines, I found that the key to success is to understand the end goal.” 

During his free time, Mance enjoys golf, gardening and cooking. To learn more about RCBC’s engineering programs, visit rcbc.edu/academics/engineering-technology.