Richard Cozzen

Richard Cozzens, Ph.D., is the Director of the Thunderworks Innovation Center and a Professor of Engineering and Technology at Southern Utah University, where he also serves as Program Director for Engineering and Technology. With over 12 years of aerospace industry experience and more than two decades in academia, he is recognized for his expertise in manufacturing, solid modeling, and curriculum innovation. An accomplished author of multiple engineering software workbooks—including CATIA V5, Solidworks, Inventor, and MasterCAM—Dr. Cozzens has advanced engineering education worldwide through publications, international teaching, and the development of web-based curricula. He has successfully secured more than $2 million in grants, directed statewide engineering education initiatives, and cultivated partnerships to bridge education and industry. Passionate about experiential learning, VR/AR applications, and makerspace development, he continues to shape the future of engineering education while mentoring students and faculty.