Rate My Professor Kurt Stresau

Kurt Stresau is a Senior Lecturer and Senior Design Coordinator in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida, where he joined in 2013. In this role, he oversees more than 100 senior capstone design projects annually, guiding students through hands-on, real-world engineering challenges that prepare them for professional practice. Prior to his appointment at UCF, Stresau worked for 11 years as an engineer for United Space Alliance, focusing on the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Eastern Florida State College for seven years. His extensive industry experience and teaching background have informed his contributions to engineering education at UCF, including promotion to Senior Lecturer in 2020.

Stresau earned a Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Florida, a Master’s degree in space systems from the Florida Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Central Florida in 2020. His doctoral dissertation, “A Mixed Method Analysis of Factors Influencing Success and Failure in Undergraduate Engineering Capstone Design Experiences,” advised by Mark Steiner, utilized a mixed methods approach to identify critical factors affecting capstone design team success, including faculty mentorship, student backgrounds, and contextual influences. This work combined statistical analysis, surveys, social network analysis, and student reflective memos to provide insights into improving engineering curricula. Stresau’s research interests encompass engineering design and engineering education. He co-authored the paper “A Framework for Developing a Deeper Understanding of the Factors that Influence Success and Failure in Undergraduate Engineering Capstone Design Experiences,” published in the proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education in 2020. Under his leadership, UCF engineering students have achieved recognitions such as third place in the NASA MINDS Challenge in 2025. Stresau also contributes to university governance through roles in the Faculty Senate and various committees.