Dr. Lea-Ann Morton, assistant vice chancellor for university advancement at Missouri University of Science and Technology, has been elected to a three-year term as chair of the American Society for Engineering Education‘s Professional Interest Council V.

Founded in 1893, ASEE is the national organization for individuals and institutions interested in furthering engineering education. As part of its organizational and governing structure, ASEE has several professional interest councils (PICs) to provide guidance and input into ASEE’s governance. PIC V focuses on university-industry partnerships, continuing professional development, and cooperative and experiential education.

As chair of Professional Interest Council V, Morton will lead the council’s efforts to coordinate professional interests of its members; strengthen relationships with other PICs; and promote and encourage ASEE activities pertaining to engineering education and industry collaboration.

She will begin her term of office with ASEE on July 1.

Morton joined Missouri S&T in July 2001 as assistant director of career opportunities and employer relations. She became director of that office in April 2003. In August 2011, Morton joined S&T’s university advancement team as assistant vice chancellor.

Morton holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, a master of education in adult education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from College of the Ozarks in Branson, Mo.

Under her leadership, the career opportunities and employer relations office was named 11th in the nation by the Princeton Review. In 2009, Morton received the Missouri S&T Recruitment and Retention Service Award for her efforts to improve student recruitment and retention. She received the Distinguished Young Alumni Award from College of the Ozarks in 2003.