Erik Westman has had the opportunity to work with a strong team of outstanding students and faculty throughout his academic career, this teamwork has resulted in eight Senior Design National Championships as well as multiple SME/NSSGA Student Design Competition Championships. Prior to serving as Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering and also as Head of the Mining and Minerals Engineering Department, Erik was recognized with the College of Engineering’s Certificate of Teaching Excellence. Erik has been an SME Krumb Lecturer and has given keynote talks at professional conferences, including the US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. He especially enjoys seeing the personal and professional successes of former students.