Capitol Tech was pleased to welcome Amelia Wear as Professor of Mechatronics Engineering in Fall 2025. Professor Wear’s unique blend of technical expertise and passion for teaching is already driving the program toward an exciting future.
Professor Wear's interest in mechatronics began during her undergraduate years studying mechanical engineering. “Once I took the course, I fell in love with diving into how the code and the mechanisms worked together,” she said. “I began to gear my professional interests toward the space between mechanical and software, and marketed myself as such.”
That passion led her to earn a master's degree in software engineering and later, work as a systems engineer controlling mechanical systems with software logic while interpreting data through the lens of how the devices functioned.
“I loved working on cool technology, but I realized what really drives me is helping others,” Professor Wear explained. “During my interview at Capitol Tech, I was impressed with the warmth and energy of the people I met, and I felt that I would be able to find a new home here.”
This transition to academia helped combine both of her interests into one: helping others learn about mechatronics and the innovative technology that comes with it.
Now, Professor Wear aims to create courses that “live and breathe on their own,” with content guided by student feedback and real-world application. “I aim to make my classes as hands-on as possible,” she said. “I try to give real-world examples for my students and connect the material to what they might actually need to know on the job.”
When asked what sets Capitol Tech’s mechatronics program apart, Professor Wear highlights the university's dedication to real-world experience. Alongside exciting updates like a newly renovated lab opening this spring, she is redesigning the Digital Electronics course (EL 204) to offer a more interactive curriculum. She is also hosting a series of SolidWorks workshops open to all students and community members, providing valuable 3D computer-aided design (CAD) training.
“Capitol goes out of its way to make all of its programs not only hands-on, but applicable to the real jobs students will have after graduation,” Professor Wear said. “Students graduate with a large portfolio of work to show to prospective employers.”
Looking ahead, Professor Wear sees mechatronics at the heart of the next technology revolution. And this is what keeps driving her to innovate the classroom. “Mechatronics is poised to assist the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) and our students will be graduating into the thick of it.”
