Professor John Mitchell

Professor John ("Jack") D. Mitchell's teaching interests are primarily in the areas of electronic circuits and design, and space sciences. His current research focuses on electrical properties/processes of the middle atmosphere. Rocket probe techniques have been utilized to investigate NLC/PMSE events in the high-latitude middle atmosphere, solar eclipses, thunderstorms, and aurora, and also the mid-latitude and equatorial regions during quiescent conditions. His society memberships include: IEEE, AGU, ASEE, the Middle Atmosphere Electrodynamics Working Group of IAGA, Eta Kappa Nu, Sigma Xi, and Phi Kappa Phi. In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities, he is a University Scholars Adviser and faculty adviser to Penn State's Epsilon Chapter of Eta Kappa Nu Association. He is involved with the NASA National Space Grant College Program at Penn State, serving as the engineering representative on the Internal Advisory Committee and as the Co-Director of the SOARS Program. He serves as Chair of the Advisory Board and helped establish Penn State's FISE House, a residence option for first-year science and engineering majors created to enhance diversity and retention, He is a recipient of the College of Engineering's Outstanding Teacher and Adviser Awards, and a former elected member of the Eta Kappa Nu International Board of Directors.