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Agnieszka Miguel finished her PhD in electrical engineering in 2001 and was working in the private sector as a consultant when she accepted a postdoctoral position at the University of Washington and was asked to teach an undergraduate class.

The subject matter of the class, Electrical Circuits II, didn’t intimidate her—she was an accomplished engineer—but stepping into the classroom brought unexpected hesitation.

Until that point, she hadn’t envisioned herself as a teacher and had rarely spoken in front of large group, apart from conferences.

“Standing and talking is terrifying,” says the Engineering Professor and Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

But once she began teaching, Miguel discovered that she genuinely enjoyed it. She found satisfaction not only in connecting with students but also in the intellectual challenge of designing a course from the ground up—constructing the syllabus, planning the content of each lecture and thinking carefully about how to introduce each topic in a way that would make it accessible and engaging.

“When you see that moment of understanding in a student’s eyes, when they come to you with confusion and, through conversation and explanation, they not only grasp the concept but can articulate it back to you in their own words, that’s incredibly fulfilling.” 

—Agnieska Miguel, PhD, Professor & Chair 

Originally from Poland, Miguel transferred to the United States in 1992, during her third year of college, to a school in Florida. There she found that culture shock can come in different forms. She recalls vividly breaking down in tears while trying to use a copy machine, a device that students in Poland were not allowed to touch.

From behind her she heard a voice. “You don’t know how to use it?” It was a faculty member, originally from Africa. He continued: “Well, let me show you. I was there. I was like you, because I also came from a country where things don’t work the same way.”

Miguel will never forget that moment, which encapsulates not only the challenges faced by international or first-generation students, but also the value of mentorship.

That awareness of what it feels like to confront the unfamiliar has helped to shape her work as the Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Research consistently shows that students learn more effectively when they have role models they can relate to and when they can envision themselves as engineers.

“Students learn better when they feel seen and supported,” she says. “A rough start doesn’t mean they can’t become great engineers. We approach each student as a unique learner and work collaboratively to identify the strategies that support their growth.”

Her passion for creating inclusive learning environments and helping all students reach their potential has shaped not only her departmental leadership but also fueled her active involvement in several professional organizations.

She served as President of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association (ECEDHA), which brings together academic leaders from across North America to advance ECE education and research. She has also had multiple leadership positions within the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), the organization for advancing innovation and excellence in engineering and engineering technology education. And in June began her term as ASEE President-Elect.

Since 2019 Miguel has led the iREDEFINE workshop. This initiative is designed to motivate women and underrepresented minority doctoral students in electrical and computer engineering to pursue academic careers and to prepare them for success in faculty positions at colleges and universities. With support from the National Science Foundation, Miguel recently received a new grant to expand iREDEFINE into a national mentoring network that supports participants not only through the hiring process but also during their early years as faculty members.

Miguel’s work has led to several prestigious awards, including becoming an ASEE Fellow, the 2020 ECEDHA Diversity Award, the 2020 ASEE ECE Division Distinguished Educator Award and the 2025 AWIS Seattle Chapter Excellence in STEM Education/Outreach award.

“Dr. Miguel is an innovative leader who is changing the landscape of engineering education, both locally and nationally, with her service to the profession,” says former College of Science and Engineering Dean Amit Shukla, PhD. “Her work shines a bright light on our institution.”

Miguel lives in North Seattle and in her spare time, enjoys photography and gardening. Most of all she enjoys spending time with her daughter, Zoey, and their two cats.

One thing she doesn’t do anymore is obsessively prepare for lectures, fearful that she might be asked a question she can’t answer.

“Now as an experienced teacher, I want those questions,” she says. “They make me learn. I'm not worried about telling the students, ‘Oh, I actually don't know the answer, I’m going to get back to you tomorrow.’”