Rate My Professor Matt Jackson

At Hardin-Simmons University, Jackson has spearheaded the launch of the mechanical engineering and engineering technology programs starting in fall 2023, overseen the retrofit and expansion of Abilene Hall by 7,000 square feet to include specialized labs for fabrication, materials testing, and thermal/fluids research, and led the dedication of the engineering space. He directs pioneering research in metal additive manufacturing, or metal 3D printing, in partnership with Pantex, a National Nuclear Security Administration facility under the Department of Energy. Initiated six years ago and continued at Hardin-Simmons since 2022, this project—now in its fourth phase—addresses the field's low 80% success rate for printed parts in high-consequence applications by deploying optical sensors to detect real-time anomalies and developing novel computational methods to predict and mitigate defects, a unique approach not replicated elsewhere. Supported by over $1 million in advanced equipment and a recent $750,000 funding award over 18 months, the work provides Hardin-Simmons students with practical experience in cutting-edge technology. Under Jackson's leadership, the university prepares to graduate its first cohort of engineering students in 2025, advancing engineering education within a Christian academic mission.