Mechanical Engineering

Despite beginning as a preschool dropout, Elissa found her passion for academics and graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2013. She earned her M.S. from Vanderbilt University in 2016, and then worked as a mechanical engineer for Universal Logic, a robotics integrator. In 2018, Elissa began teaching Mechatronics Engineering at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). After discovering teaching as a calling, she resumed graduate studies and completed her Ph.D. at Vanderbilt in 2024. In 2025, Elissa transitioned from MTSU to Benedictine College, where she teaches General and Mechanical Engineering courses, specializing in Mechanics, Robotics and Senior Design Capstone.

Elissa’s industrial experience is primarily in mechanical design for robotics integration, particularly end-of-arm tools, robot selection, and cell layouts. Her technical research at Vanderbilt focused on rehabilitation robotics (orthotics and prosthetics), and she developed two hand exoskeletons for stroke recovery as part of her doctoral work. Since graduating, Elissa pivoted towards open educational resource (OER) development, realizing a passion for teaching over technological research during her time straddling both fields. She has co-authored open-access textbooks for engineering capstone and undergraduate robotics, as well as developing YouTube video series for a myriad of engineering courses, and is eager to continue making engineering education more efficient, effective, and affordable for everyone.

Degrees:

• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Louisiana State University, 2013
• M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2016
• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2024

Dr. LeBoeuf joined the Benedictine School of Engineering in 2026.  His prior teaching experience spans mechanical, electrical, and management programs.  He was the founding director of the first Master of Engineering Management program in Chile, South America.

As an aerospace engineer and manager, he helped develop rocket simulation and stability analysis tools, which continue to be used by NASA’s mission assurance program.  He also led the development of the THEMIS spacecraft attitude control system and recently developed a tool for analyzing the navigability of potential lunar landing sites.

Dr. LeBoeuf’s graduate research at the University at Buffalo and post-doctoral research at Stanford University’s Center for Turbulence Research included experimental investigations of turbulent flows in mixing layers and wakes.

In addition to degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering, Dr. LeBoeuf holds a Master of Business Administration degree and Project Management Professional and Agile Certified Practitioner certifications.

Degrees

• BS, Electrical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1986
• BS, Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1987
• PhD, Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1991
• MBA, University of Maryland, College Park, 2002