Lisa A. Shay

Associate Dean for Educational Innovation
Professor of Electrical Engineering

Lisa A. Shay became the Associate Dean for Educational Innovation at the Albert Nerken School of Engineering at The Cooper Union in September 2019. She is responsible for the graduate and international exchange programs, oversees the student and faculty professional development, serves as a principal advisor on accreditation and chair of the Institutional Review Board.

She was previously the Director of the Electrical Engineering Program at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, a program that US News & World Report consistently ranks in the top 10 nationwide among institutions where a doctorate is not offered. She had responsibility for 10 military and civilian faculty who taught 30 electrical engineering courses to over 500 cadets each year and administered 14 laboratory facilities with equipment valued at more than $10 million. She was also Chair of the Laboratory Resources Committee responsible for managing all laboratory equipment across ten academic departments. Dr. Shay retired in 2019 from a distinguished career of 30 years in the United States Army where she served in numerous leadership positions while stationed in the United States and abroad. She retired with the rank of colonel.

Dr. Shay has authored three book chapters, a Michigan State Law Review article, and over 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. She pursues interdisciplinary research among the fields of engineering, education, law, policy, and ethics. Her interests include developing and using technology to benefit society and humanity across the world and developing engineers who act with a sense of civic responsibility and social justice.

Dr. Shay holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She received a M.S. degree in Engineering from Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where she studied as a Marshall Scholar. She holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and an M.A. in Pastoral Studies from Fordham University. She is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), an ABET program evaluator for electrical, computer, and communications engineering programs, a member of Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Courses
Publications

Books and Book Chapters

  1. L. A. Shay and K. S. Vastola.  “Technology-Independent Link Sensing in Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks: Benefits and Challenges,” Chapter 14 in Mobile and Wireless Internet: Protocols, Algorithms and Systems, Kia Makki, Niki Pissinou, Kami (Sam) Makki, E.K. Park (Eds.), Kluwer, 2003, pp. 365-382.
  2. L. Shay, W. Hartzog, J. Nelson, and G. Conti, “Do Robots Dream of Electric Laws? An Experiment in the Law as Algorithm” Chapter 11 in Robot Law, Ryan Calo, A. Michael Froomkin, and Ian Kerr (Eds), Edward Elgar 2016.
  3. L. Shay, W. Hartzog, J. Nelson, D. Larkin, and G. Conti, “Confronting Automated Law Enforcement” Chapter 10 in Robot Law, Ryan Calo, A. Michael Froomkin, and Ian Kerr (Eds), Edward Elgar 2016.

Peer-reviewed journals

  1. W. Hartzog, G. Conti, J. Nelson and L. Shay, “Inefficiently Automated Law Enforcement,” Michigan State Law Review, 2015(5), 1763-1796.
  2. G. Conti, L. Shay and W. Hartzog, “Deconstructing the Relationship Between Privacy and Security,” IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, Summer 2014, pp. 28-30.
  3. L. A. Shay, K. L. Huggins, J. R. S. Blair, and B. L. Shoop. “Increasing the Efficiency of an Effective Outcome Assessment Process: Perspectives from an Electrical Engineering and a Computer Science Program," International Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 24, No. 5, 2008.
  4. L. A. Shay.   “The Great Debate Over Unclassified Information: National Security vs. Scientific Freedom,” IEEE Transactions on Professional Communications, v 32, n 3, Sep, 1989, p 139-148.  

Invited Presentations

  1. L. Shay, “Automated Law Enforcement,” presented at the 2023 Morals & Machines conference, Munich, Germany, 25 May 2023.
  2. L. Shay, W. Hartzog, and G. Conti, “Beyond Sunglasses and Spray Paint: A Taxonomy of Surveillance Countermeasures” presented at the International Symposium on Technology and Society 2013, Toronto, Canada, 27-29 June 2013.
  3. L. Shay, interview by Steven Cherry, “License Plates, Cameras, and Our Vanishing Privacy,” IEEE Spectrum Techwise Conversations, 12 December 2012.
  4. "Toward Increasing the Efficiency of an Effective Outcome Assessment Process” Invited talk at the Best Assessment Practices IX Workshop at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, 12-14 April 2007.

Peer-reviewed conference proceedings

  1. A. Sharma, L. Shay, “'Rainwater Harvesting and Automated Off-grid Irrigation for Food and Water Security in Guatemala,” presented at the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, Villanova, PA, 23-26 October 2024.
  2. S. Chung, L. Shay, “Experimental Study on Decreasing the Electricity Cost of Incubating Chickens in Guatemala,” presented at the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, Villanova, PA, 12-15 October 2023.
  3. J. Krebs, L. Shay, “Water Conservation and Rainwater Collection for Environmental and Economic Sustainability in Guatemala,” presented at the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, Villanova, PA, 12-15 October 2023.
  4. A. Rangwala, L. Shay, “Design of Photovoltaic Systems for Seamstresses in Guatemala Using Measured Solar Insolation Data,” presented at the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, Villanova, PA, 12-15 October 2023.
  5. A. Simson, M. Lawless, C. Lee, L. Shay, T. Cumberbatch, A. Smith, N. Shlayan, “Teaching the First-Year, Hands-On, Engineering Design Experience Online,” presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Virtual Conference, 26 July 2021.
  6. L. Shay, D. Harvie, T. Estes, “Reflection and Metacognition in Capstone Design,” presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Conference, Tampa, Florida, 15-19 June 2019.
  7. D. Harvie, T. Estes, L. Shay, “Know Your Role! Designing Faculty and External Stakeholder Roles in a Multidisciplinary Capstone Course,” presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Conference, Tampa, Florida, 15-19 June 2019.
  8. E. Brownfield, L. Shay, B. Shoop, “The Elements of an Innovation Ecosystem,” presented at the 2018 National Conference for Undergraduate Research, Edmond, OK, April 5-7, 2018.
  9. M. Jeong, L. Shay, B. Shoop, “The Disruptive Nature of the GPU for General Purpose Computing,” presented at the 2018 National Conference for Undergraduate Research, Edmond, OK, April 5-7, 2018.
  10. S. Abbott-McCune, L. Shay. “Techniques in hacking and simulating a modern automotive controller area network.” presented at the 50th International Carnahan Conference on Security and Technology, 24-27 October 2016, Orlando, FL
  11. S. Abbott-McCune, L. Shay. “Intrusion prevention system of Automotive network CAN bus.” presented at the 50th International Carnahan Conference on Security and Technology, 24-27 October 2016, Orlando, FL
  12. G. Conti, W. Hartzog, J. Nelson, and L. Shay, “A Conservation Theory of Governance for Automated Law Enforcement” presented at the We, Robot Conference on Legal and Policy Issues Relating to Robotics at the Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, FL, 4-5 April 2014.  
  13. L. Shay, W. Hartzog, and G. Conti, “Beyond Sunglasses and Spray Paint: A Taxonomy of Surveillance Countermeasures” presented at the International Symposium on Technology and Society 2013, Toronto, Canada, 27-29 June 2013.
  14. L. Shay, W. Hartzog, J. Nelson, and G. Conti, “Do Robots Dream of Electric Laws? An Experiment in the Law as Algorithm” presented at We, Robot Getting Down to Business, at the Stanford University Law School, Stanford, CA, 8-9 April 2013.
  15. Lisa Shay, Woodrow Hartzog, John Nelson, Dominic Larkin, and Gregory Conti, “Confronting Automated Law Enforcement” presented at the We, Robot Inaugural Conference on Legal and Policy Issues Relating to Robotics at the Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, FL, 21-22 April 2012.
  16. Lisa A. Shay, Gregory Conti, Dominic Larkin, John Nelson, “A Framework for Analysis of Quotidian Exposure in an Instrumented World” presented at the 46th International Carnahan Conference on Security and Technology, 15-18 October 2012, Boston, MA.
  17. Gregory R. Kilby, Lisa Shay, “FDTD Simulation of Photonic Crystal Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers.” Presented at Frontiers in Optics (FiO)/Laser Science XXVI Conference. FiO/LS October 24-28, 2010, Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, New York, USA.
  18. Kirk A. Ingold, Lisa A. Shay, Gregory R. Kilby, “Hole Depth Studies in Single-Defect Photonic Crystal Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers using 3-D FDTD Simulations.”  Presented at Frontiers in Optics (FiO)/Laser Science XXV Conference. FiO/LS October 11-15, 2009, San Jose Fairmont & St. Claire Hotel, San Jose, California, USA.
  19. Kirk A. Ingold, Lisa A. Shay, Gregory R. Kilby, “The Optical and Electronic Characteristics of Photonic Crystal Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers.”  Presented at Frontiers in Optics (FiO)/Laser Science XXIV Conference. FiO/LS October 19-23, 2008, Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, New York, USA.
  20. David Chang, Grant Jacoby, Lisa Shay, “Preparing and Advising a Fast-Track Education in Robotics.” American Society for Engineering Education Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, 24-27 June 2007.
  21. Robert Sadowski, Lisa A. Shay, Christopher Korpela, and Erik Fretheim “Assessing the EE Program Outcome Assessment Process.” American Society for Engineering Education Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, 24-27 June 2007.
  22. N. Barry, R. Korstjens, J. Spruce, W. Huang and L. Shay, “DC-DC Converter to Charge Military Batteries,” Proceedings of The National Conference for Undergraduate Research, Asheville, North Carolina, April 2006.
  23. Barry L. Shoop, George A. Nowak, and Lisa A. Shay. “Deliberate Longitudinal Curricular Integration: Topical Linkages and Concept Reinforcement", American Society for Engineering Education Conference, Portland, Oregon, June 12-15, 2005. Available online: http://www.asee.org/acPapers/2005-2261_Final.pdf
  24. Peter D. Hanlon, Bryan S. Goda, and Lisa A. Shay. “Experience with Multi-Disciplinary Design Projects at the U.S. Military Academy” presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 2004.
  25. Lisa A. Shay, Bryan S. Goda and Peter D. Hanlon, John M. D. Hill, “Outcome Assessment at the U.S. Military Academy” presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 2004.
  26. Kevin L. Huggins, Lisa A. Shay, John M. D. Hill, Bryan S. Goda and Eugene K. Ressler.  “Experiences in Preparing Multiple Programs for a Joint ABET Accreditation General Review.” In Proceedings of the 32nd ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 6-9 Nov 2002, p T2B16-T2B21.
  27. S.P. McGrath, R.S. Gray, E.B. Entin, L.A. Shay. “The ACTCOMM Project: Mobile Agents and Ad Hoc Routing Meeting Military Requirements for Information Superiority.” Proceedings of MILCOM 2001, 28-31 Oct 2001.

Other publications

  1. L. Shay, N. Barry “The Military Microgrid: Today and Tomorrow.” Engineer Magazine, Jan-Apr 2018.
  2. N. Barry, L. Shay, “Operational Energy Analysis, Contingency Location Garoua.” Technical Report to US Army Africa, 28 June 2017.
  3. D. J. Chang, G. Jacoby, G. and L. Shay, "Educating and Advising Future Leaders in Robotics", Assembly, November 2007.
Service
  • Chair, Institutional Review Board, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, 2020-present
  • Steering Committee Member, Middle States Reaccreditation Review, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, 2024-present
  • Planning and Assessment Council Member, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, 2020-present
  • ABET Program Evaluator, Electrical, Computer, and Communications Engineering Programs, 2013-present
  • ABET Workshop Facilitator, ECE Department Heads Association Annual meeting, 2023-2024
  • Advisory Board Member for the Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering Department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 2010-present
  • IEEE Committee on Education Accreditation Activities, 2018-2023

Related News

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.