Biography
Paniz Tavassoli serves as a Residential Engineering Faculty member and the Engineering Program Coordinator at Scottsdale Community College (SCC). She has taught engineering and mathematics courses since 2018 at Gateway, Paradise Valley, and Scottsdale Community Colleges. Prior to transitioning into academia, she worked as an electrical engineering researcher, conducting published research on NGSDH-based telecommunications systems for power networks, with an emphasis on synchronous transmission, protection signaling, and reliable operation during network outages. She holds a Master of Science in Analog/Digital IC Design from San José State University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, with an emphasis in Telecommunications.
Teaching, Research, and Student Mentorship
Paniz is deeply committed to student success and experiential learning in engineering education. She designs and delivers rigorous, accessible coursework that emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and real-world application. Through the adoption of Maricopa Open Educational Resources (MOER) and effective use of Canvas, she customizes course materials, expands access to free learning resources, and creates structured, engaging learning environments that support student persistence and achievement.
She has presented her work at IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) conferences, reflecting her continued engagement with the engineering community and her commitment to staying current with advances in the field.
Her teaching philosophy centers on creating a highly participatory and welcoming classroom where students build confidence in technical subjects, develop professional habits, and feel supported throughout their academic journey. She emphasizes accountability, time management, and clear communication, while remaining highly accessible to students who need additional guidance. Paniz provides consistent academic and professional support to students, particularly those navigating engineering pathways for the first time.
Program Leadership and Applied Engineering
As Engineering Program Coordinator, Paniz plays a central role in strengthening curriculum alignment, student support structures, and pathways for academic and career advancement. She actively mentors students on engineering design projects, research opportunities, and competitive pathways to internships, REU programs, and innovation-focused initiatives, supporting them through technical development, proposal refinement, and professional preparation.
She also serves as the Robotics Club advisor, where she guides students through hands-on design challenges, teamwork, and leadership development beyond the classroom. Through this work, she helps students translate technical knowledge into practical, collaborative engineering solutions with real-world relevance.
Professional Impact
Paniz’s work bridges research-informed instruction, program leadership, and student mentorship. Her focus on applied learning, equity, and long-term student success has helped many students persist in engineering programs and successfully pursue academic and professional opportunities beyond the community college level.
Outside of academia, she enjoys spending time outdoors and is an avid runner, skier, and swimmer. She values time with her family, enjoys traveling, and maintains a lifelong appreciation for drawing as a creative outlet.
