Mr. Brian Thomas

Education

• MSEE, University of Houston (1992)
• BS, Stephen F. Austin State University (1989)

Academic Specialization: Humanitarian Engineering, off-grid renewable energy systems, sustainable development

Professor Brian Thomas is the lead faculty member of the Humanitarian Engineering concentration at Baylor. He teaches two central classes in that program, Ethics for International Service, and Technologies for Developing Countries. Since 2005, he has led or co-lead many student teams to Kenya, Honduras, and Haiti to implement discipline-specific service-learning trips where students help to implement renewable energy projects in areas of energy poverty.

Professor Thomas is also the Executive Director of the nonprofit organization JustEnergy which serves civil society organizations such as hospitals, clinics, schools, and orphanages in northern Haiti. He and his team have designed, installed and continue to maintain solar energy systems for these groups, creating jobs and increasing energy access in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country. His experiences in Haiti and his Christiain faith greatly inform his teaching in international development, energy access, and ethics.

Teaching

• EGR 1301 - Introduction to Engineering
• ELC 2320/2330 - Electrical Circuit Theory for both non-ECE majors and ECE majors
• EGR 3302 - Technologies for Developing Countries
• EGR 3380 - Engineering Design I (Junior Design)
• EGR 3315 - Ethics for International Service

Teaching Awards

• Baylor Fellow, 2013-2014, recognition for teaching
• Richard Couey Award, 2014, given by Phi Kappa Chi fraternity for reflection its core values: commitment to Christ, excellence, humility, integrity, and respect
• Outstanding Faculty Partner Award, Division of Student Life, 2013, for leading international service-learning trips with students from 2005-2013
• Twice awarded Faculty Advisor of the Year (2012-2013 and 2013-2014) among student organizations at Baylor for being the faculty advisor of the organization Engineers with a Mission
• As the faculty advisor, I shared the Student Organization of the Year Award, 2012-2013, with the officers and members of Engineers with a Mission
• Outstanding Professor among Baylor University Lecturers and Non-tenure Track Faculty, 2006-2007 for teaching
• Twice voted Distinguished Professor by Baylor Society of Women Engineers student chapter for dedication to students, academic years 2002/2003 and 2003/2004