Teaching and mentorship took center stage at the College of Engineering as Maryam Alibeik, an assistant professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department was named the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers’ (IEEE) Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year for 2026. This is an honor awarded to those who have demonstrated excellence in technical, scientific, academic, or managerial endeavors. The award emphasizes creative, important, and widely recognized work according to IEEE. 

Alibeik describes herself as an electrical engineer, educator and mother. Being multi-faceted, her mission remains simple: make engineering more accessible and inclusive. “I believe the best engineers are built through intentional teaching, inclusive spaces, and communities that push each other forward,” she said. 

Her path to engineering began early. With influence from her father and grandfather, both seasoned mathematicians, Alibeik grew up in an environment where critical thinking was a part of everyday life. This upbringing led her to pursue power electronics at Perdue University with research spanning in electric machines and drives. There, she learned extensive technical knowledge and gained visibility into workplace gaps for women and underrepresented groups in engineering which helped shape the trajectory of her career.  

Now, at Temple, Alibeik teaches courses including Electromagnetic Fields and Waves, Circuits and Electronics, and Senior Design II. Her teaching philosophy encourages students to think like problem-solvers instead of simply following directions. She strongly believes in allowing students to learn from their mistakes and builds that into her curriculum, reinforcing her belief that “struggle is not failure, it’s the process.” She adds that “engineering is hard by design. What separates the engineers who thrive from those who don't isn't raw talent; it's the willingness to stay curious when things don't work, to ask for help, and to iterate.” 

Beyond the classroom, Alibeik plays a significant role in IEEE describing it as the “cornerstone” of her professional life. She serves as Region 2 Women in Engineering Coordinator, student branch counselor at Temple, and co-chair of the Philadelphia Section’s Student Activities Committee. Her work focuses on building pipelines and fostering inclusive environments, particularly for women in engineering. “It's less about holding titles and more about building pipelines, making sure the next generation of women engineers sees themselves reflected in leadership,” she said. 

She also plays key institutional roles at the College of Engineering, including faculty accessibility liaison and ABET coordinator for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. These positions reflect her broader belief that effective education must address both individual student needs and systemic barriers. Her biggest goal is to help students build community and advocate for themselves noting, “if my students leave knowing how to persist through difficulty and advocate for themselves, I've done my job.” 

Receiving the Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year Award on behalf of IEEE, she said, is both humbling and affirming. “When you work in teaching and service, the results aren't always visible or celebrated the way a product launch or a patent might be.” She hopes the recognition sends a broader message that contributions in teaching and mentorship are integral parts of the engineering profession, she added, “...I hope it signals something to younger engineers, especially women and those who don't always see themselves in these award citations: that teaching, service, and community-building are engineering contributions. They count.”