Please join us in welcoming our newest staff members, Subalekha Udayasankar, director of the Engineering Student Success, and Jessica Shen, electrical engineering laboratory Technician, and congratulating Donald Etheridge on his promotion to finance analyst and senior purchasing associate!

Donald Etheridge, Finance Analyst and Senior Purchasing Associate

Donald Etheridge was recently promoted to finance analyst and senior purchasing associate. He first joined The Cooper Union as a purchasing and finance assistant in 2023, and his promotion reflects both his dedication and the valuable contributions he has made to the community. 

Since joining Cooper, Etheridge h as been committed to ensuring that faculty and students in the School of Engineering have access to essential materials at the most competitive prices. In this new expanded role, amid ongoing supply chain uncertainty, he continues to prioritize reducing purchasing costs, identifying alternative vendors, and strengthening relationships with existing supply chain partners. 

“One of the most fulfilling aspects of working at Cooper is the opportunity to work with and learn from esteemed experts who inspire future generations. I'm excited to uphold the mission and vision of Peter Cooper.”

Subalekha Udayasankar, Director of Engineering Student Success

Subalekha Udayasankar joins the Albert Nerken School of Engineering as the inaugural director of Engineering Student Success, bringing a blend of global strategic expertise and institutional knowledge to support The Cooper Union's 500+ engineering students.

With a multidisciplinary background that includes a B.E. in electronics and communication engineering from the University of Madras, a M.S. in computer science from Miami University, and a M.F.A. in design & technology from Parsons School of Design,  Udayasankar bridges the critical gap between technical mastery and human-centered problem solving. Most notably, she led the Design Experience & Strategy for EXPO 2020 Dubai, where she evaluated the user experiences across all digital platforms, and built educational frameworks that reached over 250 million diverse international users. 

Before joining Cooper, Udayasankar collaborated with the institution for nearly a decade (2016 to 2024), creating interdisciplinary courses such as Empathetic Robots and AI Data and Play, bringing her expertise in game-based learning methodologies to Cooper’s curriculum. Her work spans  AI ethics education to disaster response technologies, always with a focus on how engineering can serve humanity's most pressing needs.

“I believe empathy is the cornerstone of creation, and knowledge without responsibility is engineering without purpose. Throughout my career, I've learned that success stems not just from academic excellence, but from the ability to connect, communicate, and champion what you believe in—using your technical skills to create meaningful change.

“My goal is to ensure every graduate understands and excels not only in their technical skills but also in their inherent potential to create a lasting impact on our world. True engineering success requires nurturing the whole person—not just intellectual growth, but emotional resilience, ethical reasoning, and purposeful leadership that serves something greater than ourselves. I accepted this role because Cooper Union's mission resonates deeply with my own values, and as an East Village resident, I'm personally invested in fostering lasting change within my community.

“I look forward to supporting and being a bridge for all faculty, students, and other support networks to help bring out the strong, centered, self-directed graduates the world can rejoice in!”

Jessica Shen, Electrical Engineering Laboratory Technician

Jessica (Jess) Shen is an artist, creative technologist, and electrical engineer. She earned her master’s degree from NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) and her B.S. in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech. With experience that spans the automotive industry to interactive art installations, Shen is passionate about multidisciplinary work that blends technology and creativity. Her personal art practice ranges from LED sculptures to procedural graphics, and her recent freelance projects include designing and installing custom circuitry for experimental theatre and museum exhibits. Previously, as an automotive electrical engineer, she specialized in wire harnesses for production vehicles, concept cars, and prototypes for new technologies. Shen is also a classically trained pianist, having taught, accompanied, and sung in Virginia Tech’s Women’s Chorus, culminating in a performance at Carnegie Hall.

“I’m excited to join the Electrical Engineering department as the new EE lab technician and support our students and faculty. From what I’ve seen and heard so far, Cooper EE students are incredibly self-motivated and engaged, and I’m inspired by the ambitious projects they take on. I’m looking forward to helping support that innovative and collaborative community. My goal is to keep our labs running smoothly, maintain an organized inventory, and make the space a place where experimentation feels easy and fun.

“Whether you need help with equipment, tracking down a part, or just want to share what you’re building, please stop by and say hi! I’d love to connect and see what you’re working on.”