The Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) External Advisory Board (EAB) consists of industry, university, and community representatives who assist the Department in accomplishing its mission. The Board seeks to help advance HCDE's research, teaching, and service goals by strengthening the Department's ties to industry and the community.

The mission of the board is to:

• Serve as an advisory group to the HCDE Department Chair.
• Serve as advocates for the HCDE Department and promote the interests of the Department in the community at large.
• Identify constituencies who can contribute to the advancement of the Department.
• Assist in fundraising campaigns to help increase the financial resources of the Department.

To accomplish its goals, the External Advisory Board will do the following:

• Commit to regular attendance of External Advisory Board meetings.
• Provide strategic planning guidance for department.
• Collaborate with the members of the Department to help foster a stimulating environment for faculty, staff, and students.
• Advocate for the Department in industry, government agencies, professional societies, and the university.
• Assist the Department in the continuous evaluation of objectives, assessment of outcomes, and proactively recommend changes.
• Assist in creation of an annual report that provides an assessment of the current state of the Department and makes suggestions for future activities.
• Bring perspectives from industry, companies, national laboratories, or universities they represent to departmental strategic planning.

EAB members are appointed to a term of up to 3 years by the HCDE Department Chair. Upon completion of the term, a member may be reappointed at the discretion of the HCDE Department Chair. One board member will serve as the EAB Chair and be appointed by the HCDE Department Chair.

EAB meetings will be held semiannually. The work of the board will focus on departmental issues, directions, advocacy, and how HCDE can impact and be impacted by industry. The all day meeting will include faculty/student presentations, discussion(s) of issues, working sessions, and creation of a brief formal report. An optional panel discussion may be held the evening prior to the all day meeting and offers an opportunity for board members to share their experience and advice with a select group of students if desired. The agenda for the meeting will be developed by Chair of the EAB in concert with the HCDE Department Chair.