Ruth Wertz
About Ruth Wertz
Ruth Wertz is an Assistant Professor at Valparaiso University with a focus on engineering education and forensic investigations in geotechnical engineering. She has extensive experience in teaching and research, having held various academic positions and worked as a licensed professional engineer in Indiana.
Current Role at Valparaiso University
Ruth Wertz serves as an Assistant Professor at Valparaiso University, a position she has held since 2014. In this role, she focuses on teaching engineering concepts and methodologies. Her responsibilities include developing course materials and engaging with students to enhance their understanding of complex engineering principles.
Experience at CodeCombat
Since 2022, Ruth Wertz has been working as an Online Instructor at CodeCombat. In this remote position, she applies her expertise in engineering education to teach students through interactive programming and game-based learning. Her role involves creating engaging content that helps students grasp challenging concepts in a practical manner.
Educational Background
Ruth Wertz completed her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Engineering Education at Purdue University from 2010 to 2014. Prior to that, she earned a Master of Science (MS) degree from Purdue University between 2008 and 2010. Her undergraduate studies culminated in a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Trine University, where she studied from 1997 to 2002.
Professional Engineering Experience
Ruth Wertz is a licensed professional engineer in Indiana, specializing in geotechnical engineering. Her professional experience includes working as a Project Engineer at Patriot Engineering and Environmental, Inc. from 2003 to 2008. She has expertise in shallow and deep foundation design, slope stability analysis, and soil and site improvement methods.
Teaching and Research Focus
Ruth Wertz's teaching and research interests include exploring classroom applications of research-based pedagogical frameworks in engineering education. She investigates assessment methods for student lifelong learning skills and analyzes the relationships between higher education and professional practice. Her experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Adjunct Professor has informed her approach to teaching difficult engineering concepts.