Yogendra "Yogen" Panta, Ph.D., PE, PMP, CPEM

Dr. Yogen Panta is a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and serves as Director of Assessment, Accreditation, and Continuous Quality Improvement for the School of Engineering at WVU Tech. He provides academic and administrative leadership in program assessment, ABET accreditation, faculty mentoring, and data-driven initiatives that strengthen teaching, learning, and student achievement.

With more than two decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Panta’s work bridges engineering innovation, educational leadership, and global collaboration. His teaching and research span thermal-fluid sciences, energy systems, turbomachinery, and engineering education. He has secured more than $2 million in external funding from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, NASA, the National Fluid Power Association, and the U.S. Department of State through the Fulbright Program.

As a Fulbright U.S. Scholar and recently awarded as a Fulbright Specialist by World Learning on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Dr. Panta has led faculty-development and training workshops, building sustainable partnerships in engineering education and quality assurance. He also serves on the ASME Government Relations Committee, contributing to national policy discussions that advance innovation, workforce development, and STEM education.

A licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.), ACS Subject Matter Expert and an ABET Program Evaluator, Dr. Panta’s excellence in teaching and mentorship has been recognized through the WVU Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award, WVU Tech’s Golden Bear Empowerment Faculty Award, and multiple Professor of the Year honors. He is a Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM) and a Project Management Professional (PMP).

Educational Preparation

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering — University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• M.S., Mechanical Engineering — Youngstown State University
• B.E., Mechanical Engineering — Tribhuvan University, Nepal
• B.Sc., Physical Sciences — Tribhuvan University, Nepal
• Graduate Certificate in Student Affairs and Higher Education Administration — University of California, Berkeley
• Management Development Program (MDP) — Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Short Course in Leadership Skills for Engineering and Science Faculty — Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Dr. Panta is deeply committed to advancing engineering education, fostering student success, and preparing the next generation of Golden Bears to lead with purpose, integrity, and innovation.