Kimberly Taylor Luthi

Title
Assistant Professor; Chair, Department of Applied Aerospace Science
Email
Department
Department of Applied Aerospace Science
College
College of Aviation

Areas of Expertise

Workforce Development, Uncrewed Systems, Engineering Education, Aviation Policy and Law
Kimberly Taylor Luthi

Dr. Kimberly T. Luthi serves as the chair for the Applied Aerospace Science Department. As a faculty member, she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses across disciplines in aviation and uncrewed and autonomous systems. With a research background in uncrewed systems, workforce development and engineering education, Dr. Luthi has secured funding and implemented various federally-funded STEM and engineering programs in higher education over her professional career to support non-traditional groups in aviation and aerospace disciplines. She is an Embry-Riddle Alumni and an active member of Women in Drones and Women in Aviation International. She is an FAA-certified Remote Pilot, AUVSI Trusted Operator and Remote Pilot Instructor.

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership, Old Dominion University
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Aeronautics: Research, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • M.Ed. - Master of Education in Student Personnel in Higher Education, University of Florida
  • Trusted Operator (Category: Remote Pilot Instructor - Level III) - Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
  • Trusted Operator: Remote Pilot - Level III - Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
  • Trusted Operator: Remote Pilot - Level II - Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
  • Top Operator: Remote Pilot - Level I - Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
  • Remote Pilot - Federal Aviation Administration
  • COIN 496: Co-Operative Education
  • UNSY 435: sUAS Practical App & Assessmt
  • UNSY 315: Uncrewed Aircraft Sys & Ops

Luthi, K. T., & Kosloski, M. F. (2023). Advancement Experiences of Women in Academic Senior Leadership Positions in STEM Disciplines: A Delphi Analysis. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 29(4),101–128.

Luthi, K. T., Kar, M., Macon, L. (2022). The Impact of PLTL in Four Introductory Engineering Courses: Improving Access and Opportunity for Students Underrepresented in STEM Disciplines. Advances in Peer-Led Learning, 2, 55-71. https://doi.org/10.54935/apll2022-01-05-55

Luthi, K. (2022, July). Career Advancement of Women in Engineering Disciplines at Two-Year Degree Institutions: Documenting Challenges and Potential Solutions to Raise Inclusivity. Proceedings of 2022 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 26-29, 2022.

Luthi, K., Kar, M., Macon, L. (2022, July). Equity in Engineering Education: The Experiences of Non-Traditional Students in Introductory Engineering Courses with Peer Learning Support. Proceedings of the 2022 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 26-29, 2022.

Luthi, K., Mohua, K., & Macon, L. (2021, July). Peer-Led Team Learning in Introductory Engineering Courses: An Analysis of an Interventional Method of Support for Underrepresented Students. Proceedings of the 2021 American Society for Engineering Education Virtual Annual Conference and Exposition, July 29, 2021.

Luthi, K.T. (2019). A Delphi Study: Retention of Women in Leadership Positions in
Stem Disciplines (Publication No. 10.25777) [Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dissertation, Old Dominion University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. DOI: 10.25777/ahz8-7t62

Dr. Luthi currently serves as Chair, Applied Aerospace Science Department, College of Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In this capacity, Dr. Luthi oversees the DOD sponsored AMT CSP certificate program along with seven degree programs including two undergraduate programs and five graduate degree programs and approximately 300 faculty. She is from Port Orange, Florida and is a proud Alumni of Embry-Riddle, Old Dominion University and University of Florida. As a faculty member of the College of Aviation, she has led research and evaluation for externally funded grant programs, including National Science Foundation capacity-building grants that focused on building pathways to strengthen STEM educational programs as well as the administrative and fiscal capacity of institutions. Products include the development of web-based performance monitoring instruments to link grantee outcomes to statutory program goals. Dr. Luthi also works in collaboration with faculty to prepare and implement programs funded through the National Science Foundation focused on broadening participation in STEM undergraduate and graduate education, postdoctoral training, and academic career programs, specifically to increase the participation and advancement of women in STEM academic careers.

Dr. Luthi currently serves as the principal investigator on an NSF-sponsored Improving STEM Education project entitled “Engagement of Non-Traditional Students in Engineering Pathways.” This important research documents the conditions under which students’ experiences in collaborative, peer-led learning with industry-driven, active-learning activities contribute to persistence and retention in aeronautics-oriented engineering pathways. A major focus of the work is to adapt structural and implementation practices from previous studies to further support a sustainable online, peer-led, collaborative learning model that is transferable to other academic institutions. Student participants, specifically veterans and activity military student populations, engaged in the collaborative learning activities have reported positive experiences and higher course grade averages. As a work-in-progress, the findings thus far are strong indicators that peer learning support increases academic performance that meets the project goals. This research was funded through Award #2216325.  

Appointments:

Chair, Applied Aerospace Science Department and Assistant Faculty, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, FL
Grants and Research Specialist, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, FL
Managing Director, Grants and Special Projects, Office of Resource Development, Valencia College, FL 

Synergistic Activities: 

Grant Writer/Research Analyst for “Engineering Technology Supply Chain Automation.” NSF, ATE. Award #1801086; Valencia College PI: Nasser Hedayat; 2018.

Grant Writer/Research Analyst for “Engagement in Engineering Pathways: An Initiative to Retain Non-Traditional Community College Students Using Peer-Led Instruction and Learning.” NSF, IUSE. Award #:1712008; Valencia College PI: Lisa Macon; 2017. 

Internal Evaluation/Research Analyst for “Educational Network to Gain STEM Graduates and Enhance STEM Education (ENGAGE).” NSF LSAMP. Award #:1712683; Valencia College PI: Eda Davis-Lowe; 2016-2018. 

Grant Internal Evaluation Team for NSF STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP) Grant. Daytona State College, 2015-2016.

Dr. Luthi serves as a member and team lead for the U.S. Department of Labor Federal Funding Task Force for Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Researcher of the Year, College of Aviation, 2022-2023

Team Aero, Making a Difference, College of Aeronautics, 2019-2020