Episode 63: Branden Delk

Rachel: Welcome to Redbird Buzz. I'm Rachel Kobus from University Marketing and Communications. This time last year, the Illinois State University College of Engineering was preparing to welcome its first student cohort. Now, a year later, the college is moving into its new home at Campus East, where it will welcome another cohort of students ready to blaze trails in the engineering field. Here to share all that has happened and all that's to come with the college is Director of Student Success and Recruitment Branden Delk. Branden's passion for working with students comes from his 17 years of working in higher education, specifically with Illinois State's Office of Admission before taking on the new role at the College of Engineering in 2024.

So, Branden, what's the word, Redbird? Are you excited for the second official academic year for the College of Engineering? 

Branden: I am very excited to welcome this second class of students. I think it's only going to be bigger and brighter than the the first year. Lots lots of excited red birds to to join us, and and our first class is excited to kind of mentor them and bold them as well. 

Rachel: Yeah, that is exciting, and that was going to be kind of how I wanted to kick this off. Is this time last year, you and our deans, our faculty, are we're all preparing for the college to welcome its first cohort. We had 150 students, I believe, around that. So thinking back to when they arrived, what were the goals for student success, and how have you seen those play out already in the last year to help ready you for this year?

Branden: Yeah. So yeah, we had around 150. I'll call them FTICs, our first time in college students, and then we actually shockingly had about I want to say 17 or 18 internal transfers. So students who were already ISU students here, and when we added everything up, we were about a 168. So adding those new students in the current. So I was kind of surprised to see so many current Redbirds who was like, "Yep, I'll spend an extra year here to be an engineering method. That's great. Yes, but I think what we focused on, especially the year and a half so before they got here, was how are we going to establish what our culture is like? You know, what is college engineering at Illinois State University? And for me, I wanted it to be an extension of what I think ISU is when it comes to being this mid to large size university with that big school field, but very much focused on interpersonal relationships and being able to make connections with everyone from the BSW all the way up to the president, right? And so when we were doing like hiring for faculty and other staff departments, it was like, how student centered are these people, right? Because we wanted students to really feel when they arrived there that they were going to be supported by people who wanted them to succeed. And so I think we really focused on making sure that we had those people around us, so that when students came to visit to see is this it for us, that they really felt it, right? Because you can say it, yeah, but do you feel it, right? And so I think that was really the focus before they got there to make sure that we were a culture of not elitism, but of progress, growth. You know, getting you ready for what engineering is. Even though you're not graduated yet, but you know, as soon as you're here, feeling like you're getting ready for those those skill sets. 

Rachel: Yeah, I mean, they hit the ground running. I know we'll talk more about you know the events and what you've been working on to make sure students you know feel that belonging to Illinois State and the belonging to the engineering world too. But can you talk a little bit more because you know we may have parents or current students, new students listening to this. How do we define student success here at Illinois State for in maybe it's in your terms or College of Engineering's terms.

Branden: Yeah, I mean I think we try to take a multi-level holistic approach to things like how do you physically feel as a student? How do you emotionally feel as a student? How do you mentally feel? How do you feel socially? How do you feel academically? How do you feel professionally, right? So all those different things, I think, all together, hopefully give you a well-rounded student who's having a good experience. You know, feeling like they're getting well-being, but making them feel comfortable with, you know, asking questions, seeking support from their faculty, looking for opportunities for research, or to start a new organization on our campus, right? Or even just coming to someone like myself and ask questions about what are the resources here, right? So to me, that's success. Like if after a week or two of meeting us and saying we're here for you, you actually follow through and come and ask those questions. Okay, we've we've broken through. 

Rachel: Yeah. Right. Yep. I love it. Yeah. And you know, and that's why you know I've talked to you a little bit before, Branden, and that you are a vital piece of the College of Engineering. The fact that you you are the fact that students can come to you and they have all these opportunities. You're the person that's going to be able to direct them into all whether it's research and organization. You're kind of the starting. To make sure students grow and find that success, and I think that's something that we should appreciate for all. You know, our colleges have that student success, and having the college engineering have a student success director is important. So, we love having you and love having your background. So, I think it's very important to acknowledge that too. 

Branden: I do try to try to consider myself as a human FAQ, so you know, or like the different directions in the road. Like, okay, where, which way do we go? That's I'm like the the fork in the road helping you point to what direction that is. 

Rachel: I know, I love it. Well, and so I guess you know, saying that too, you've seen this past year, and now getting into you know, you've been the director for a couple years, but this is with you know our first cohort this past year. What have you seen as achievements or breakthroughs with this group of students that you're most proud of? Whether it's a big event or just a one-on-one, what's made you go this this is where our success happens at Illinois State?

Branden: I think what's made me most proud and really is just reinforces why I've been doing this for almost 20 years is to see these 17, 18-year-old, students really passionate about helping us build the college, helping us get the word out. I mean, and so soon, like literally, I had so we had a summer camp last summer. About 25 students attended that, and a lot of our leaders came out of that, and literally they wanted to hit the ground running with like, okay, what can I do to get this club started? How can I get other students involved in this, right? Or, you know, we're now starting to recruit the second. Yeah, we were recruiting the second class, like literally August of 2025, right? “Oh, Branden, I would love to be on a student panel at you know open house or Redbird Day, like whatever I can do to help.” I'm like, “Really? I mean, you're just you just started here, and you're already wanting to you know,” and or they'll tell me, “I picked this this program because I'm excited about building it from the ground up,” and I'm like, “Wow! So you're just as excited as myself and the faculty to want to like you know get this going here,” and so that really made me proud. And so, and to add to that, to have being able to witness them from August of last year through their first semester, you know, to their second semester, and now the end of the year, and see all of what they've accomplished and done that first year, like it wasn't just some one-off. Like I'll come to this one event and help out. No, they they consistently showed up. They got certain certain initiatives going, and like now they're many of them are in summer internships now, which is like crazy. 

Rachel: That's amazing. Yes, yes. Just in your first the first year, and you already have the yes. That is amazing. And just to hear you say that, you know, not obviously I am biased for Illinois State University, but SMI. Yeah, I know. Yeah, but seeing that these students came together and they wanted to be a part of something so quickly, and then truly are being a part of building it, I think is very a unique aspect of the college itself too, and the excitement that surrounds it. I mean, just hearing that that makes me go, oh, this is this is exciting. And just to see it grow and grow, and hopefully that momentum continues too with this first class all the way through to when they graduate too. 

Branden: Yeah, something I was very well. I guess it's intentional, but once I was hearing back from them on, you know, I got a summer internship brand. I was like, send me pictures, right? Yeah. And so I added a little collage to our preview presentation so that this new class coming in, I reinforced the importance of go to class, go to lab, spend time extra time in lab that you don't have to be in lab for working on your projects or any passion projects you may have. Talk to employers when we have them on campus, right? Get involved in engineering our RSOs, right? Because then I said this is what happens. I show them the collage, and I'm like, all of these students are in internships right now, and they're only 18, 19 years old. Like they were you last year, right? And I said the common denominator with all these students is that they did everything I just told you to do. They went to things, they talked, they talked to people, they they worked in the lab and now look what they are right and so it's just bringing again bringing it more to life bringing our culture to life in that way and hopefully passing it on the importance of you know getting involved going to class asking questions.

Rachel: The foundation of academics but yes really yes reiterating yes and that kind of leads me into you know talking a little bit more about how you came up with programming. You have the background in Illinois State admissions, and I know some knowledge of engineering because you're the son of an engineer. 

Branden: I am. Oh you've done your research.

Rachel: Oh, I've done a lot of research. This is what I do. So you know the importance of recruiting, but also the importance of making students find their belonging on campus to continue to be a Redbird. So looking back at this past year, what type of programming did you create to ensure this inaugural cohort didn't just show up, but they truly felt at home that they'll continue to be Redbirds? What's that kind of path that you took to make sure?

Branden: Yeah. So I think a lot of things. I think it wasn't just one particular event, I think it was being visible. So I kind of go into first saying that like I kind of help lead like our academic showcase that they had during Welcome Week, kind of establishing like hello I'm Brandon I'm here again, reinforcing this is your advisor Karen. Please go to her with questions or concerns, right? But I just didn't go away after that, right? It was like email, email, yeah,

Rachel: Posting on social media. These are events or things that are happening, right? 

Branden: So we have a EGR 120 course, which is our big design course that they take their first semester, and so it's a lecture and a lab. So they have lecture on Mondays once a week, and it's like all 150 plus of them are in that lecture, right? Then they have their two days of lab, Tuesdays and Thursdays. So I would pop in there every few times to either you know tell, oh, we have we're having our football tailgate event, which was I guess was an event football tailgate event, and our industry advisory partners are going to be there. So you better come to that. We have free football tickets. Come pick them up from me, you know, but also come in there and just talk about campus resources or my my they're not my six keys to success, but there's six keys to success that I've adapted over the years, kind of reinforcing that messaging, and so and then also going into their labs. I would go into their labs with my advisor and just pass out cookies or just kind of do temperature checks with them, right? And so it really kind of helped. I think maybe get some cred, I guess. And so when I did have events like, you know, the football tailgate, or we would have these kind of like I don't call them late night, but like these late night study sessions where it's like, okay, it's midterms, it's finals. We're gonna have like coffee and donuts and in games, so just come come on over to Williams and you know we'll have we'll have everything open for you. You can just chill and hang back. I think maybe they felt more comfortable with that because like it's like okay, Brandon's like you know not just making some I don't know making something up. It's like no no no I will I will feed you I'll take care of you yeah I want you to build community with each other and all that good stuff as well. Just like we have a tutor who is exclusively for our engineering students, and instead of like doing a flyer that just said, "We have tutoring in the basement. Go go see go see them. I was like, "No, get a picture, Daniel.” This is Daniel. Look, this is what he looks like, right? He's your tutor. Go see him, right? And just kind of-he's a real person. 

Rachel: You're meeting faces. 

Branden: Yes. So just not not making it a concept or just I don't know, like just additional thing they have to check off the list. It's like no, that is a physical person you can go to to get help, right? Or myself and Karen, the our Karen Human, our advisor, and you know our faculty were all cheering you on, right? And so it all kind of comes together in regards to the messaging, the showing up in the class, and then having these kind of event touch points to kind of make them feel feel the love, as they say. 

Rachel: What a true Redbird community then too. You've just kind of explained what Illinois State is, but also college engineering is really, I think, showcasing what that looks like too. So one of the events I saw, and I know we did some stories on, and that was highlighted, was the inaugural freshman engineering design project symposium.

Branden: It's a lot of words.

Rachel: I got it. Could you share just a little bit about that year-end event and what kind of experience it gave the students. For people that may not know, because I think it was a, you know, a big event that kind of encompassed what they did after all their classwork and created these projects. What went into that, and what did they get from it by attending or being involved with it? 

Branden: Yeah, so that event was a culmination of basically the entire first year engineering experience. So one thing I want to make you know I guess clear as a hallmark of our program is that our students get to take engineering courses immediately, right? And not every program does that. A lot of times you don't get lab time until like junior year, right? And so with our program, students are immediately taking design, like design level courses, you know, hands-on courses. So their first semester in that 120 course I just mentioned, they got to work on design projects, and they did kind of like a mini symposium with the poster presentation. And then in the one you're mentioning, that was from the spring semester in their 130 class, engineering design, where they kind of take those classes they were introduced to that first semester to the next level. They get they had to pick between two different industry challenges. So this is like again going back to that our mission statement of like real world project based learning, and so they determine which lab they went into. So one was Quality Craft, which is a company out in Romeville, Illinois, and they manufacture these these toolkits, and the students got customer feedback on how these toolkits could be updated from more of a mechanical electrical standpoint, like what kind of features could be added to it, and then the other one was Motavita, which is through a part. With OSF Healthcare, which is you know our big healthcare system out here in Central Illinois, and so they were doing kind of these ambulatory ATVs to be used in rural villages in like South America. So basically, it was like how can students develop prototypes for different aspects of these ATVs to be able to deliver medical equipment to these you know remote areas without you know things falling off the the ATV and all of that right so they got to pick between those two and that whole semester they focused on okay identifying the problem coming up with design concepts and actually building them out into prototypes right and have the opportunity to then have these industry partners come out to this major symposium event, and so it was like industry partners, campus partners. You know, they all were judged, right? Yep. And every you know 10 minutes, you know, they had to you know kind of give their pitch as to like, okay, this was our our process. This is what you know our trial and error that we came up with, and this is how we implemented this. And the first symposium we had in the fall, like you know, the top five students got like you know gift cards, right? But the ante was upped this time because the top three teams for each challenge got cash prizes through through a wonderful donor that we had we had for that yes and so first place got 15 102nd place got 750 and third got 500 and so the students were really invested in making sure that they had a quality product to show off and so I think what it gave them again is reinforcing the importance of establishing engineering identity and engineering confidence as soon as possible. I mean, I professionally believe that all programs should try to give students these kind of hands-on experiences to either help them reinforce I'm in the right major, or maybe I'm in the right major as well. But also the opportunity-the fact that they knew that this was coming from industry was like, wow, okay, I'm actually learning by doing. What I'm doing is is intentional, and then actually to get feedback from those people in person to say the great job with this, or really like how you came up with this. I think again builds that confidence even further. Absolutely, and so I really was glad to to see that event come to be and see our students' reaction to it. So

that it'll come back probably in future years. You think? Oh yeah, I think

I think it'll be an annual like tradition for the college engineering. So it's be part of our part of our culture to have this symposium event. 

Rachel: Yes, yes, I love it. Probably in the new space because we have the space to do that. I know we're going to talk about that a little bit too. Actually, you know what? We could just talk about that right now. I said, you know, we're getting them career ready. We talked about, you know, part of that needs to be, well, let's get them career ready in this new space. So let's talk about the new home for the College of Engineering, part of our new campus East. From a student success standpoint, how will this newly renovated space change the way students can collaborate and learn based off what we've already talked about.

Branden: Well, space period is going to change that. Okay, that's you. I mean, I am grateful that this first year we did have our temporary home in Williams and part of Odin on the third floor where we were able to convert some classrooms into labs, and I had some rooms in the the basement for like tutoring support and kind of like a little student lounge. So we had those spaces, right? But it was kind of all like broken up a little bit, right? But now we have a whole building that's like everything is right here in one place, and so we have multiple like small and large collaboration rooms for students who are just working in in their teams on their projects to meet in, or if they just need a quiet place to study, they have those places to do that. In my area, the Student Success Center, we have four designated rooms for our registered organizations or RSOs. So currently, we have six that are engineering under our umbrella right now, and so they'll be sharing those spaces, and so they have a place to store their stuff, hold their meetings, and so that's really going to be really important. And then our atrium area, where everything is out this open space area, just for students just to hang out, you know, and we really want them to feel comfortable there, like that it's like their second home, and that they can be there for whatever, and I really think that's going to be transformational for them, and again reinforcing that engineering identity as well. 

Rachel: That's going to say, I mean, this adds great identity and confidence. And just creating a new type of culture because you go to you know it's one thing to say we're building a culture, but then to have the location to see the culture even transform even more. I think this space is gorgeous and going to give that to our students too. So it's very exciting, and I know everyone's been waiting and like, when's it going to open? When's it going to open? And you are currently moving in, and everything will be open by our students will be out there in fall 2026. 

Branden: Yes. Yeah, we are. We are. The past few weeks will be in. You know, moving in in tiers and getting labs set up, and I'm getting MySpace set up as well. And we will be ready to welcome them with open arms this August for for classes and other other fun events that will take place there as well. So yeah, we are on pace.

Rachel: Good. What's your favorite piece of this building, whether it's just like a like a specific area, specific design, like what is what is something you're like, oh, this I love this so much. 

Branden: Darn, that's hard for me to answer. 

Rachel: Don't say the whole building. That's not fair. You have to say the whole building. 

Branden: I'll give you a couple things that I really like. So I mean, I love the atrium or the forum. It's we kind of go back and forth what we're calling it, but just that big open area, all the natural light coming in, the big Reggie LED wall that I'm sure everyone will get to see. It's just it's just breathtaking to see that. But then also just my I'm a little biased, I guess, but my area I'm just really glad to see again space for students. I'm really I've been really blown away the importance of physical space to students when it comes to just again their sense of belonging, their sense of feeling comfortable, right? So the fact that we have so many different rooms for them to to do things like study or be with their organizations or just you know hang out like we got we got our little recreational area with our well it's kind of a collection of arcade games like Miss Pac-Man and Gallica and all that, and our foosball table and all that. So we'll see how rowdy things get once they get there. But it's just good to have those kind of spaces. And then I'm also most excited about our makerspace. That is where we're going to have a collection of different 3D printers and laser cutters, and then I think we're gonna have like a little vending machine there that's gonna have like different electrical components that students can get out for whatever passion projects they're working on. Yeah, because a lot of students have their kind of side things they want to work on, and now we have the space designated for that. So I'm excited to see what comes from that. 

Rachel: Yeah, I love it. You know, and before I kind of get to my final questions, I wanted to bring up again. You know, we talked about how you're here and the faculty is here. Everyone in the College of Engineering and at Illinois State is we're here to create this sense of belonging. And I know we talked about with Dean Kaiser when we had him on when he came into the role that engineering historically has faced representation gaps, and he talked about that the college's pillars is one being to diversify our workforce, make them career ready. So, do you have anything to add that you know we're helping to rewrite that narrative to ensure every one of our students feels that sense of being career ready and that belonging in the engineering field, what is that like in your world?

Branden: Yeah, I think sometimes we've done some things that are very subtle, but then also kind of not so subtle as well. So, like in our contemporary space, I need to find a space in the new building as well. Like we have a whole display of historical figures in engineering who are from unrepresented backgrounds. So it's like, again, showing that like we care about this. We care about spotlighting this as well. One of the assignments they had in their 120 class was for them to pick out an engineer or someone in the STEM field that inspired them, and they had to do a little, little presentation on them as well. But then I've had some guest speakers come in. Well, not just me, but the college has had guest speakers come in from different backgrounds as well. Like we've had female engineers come in, like from ADM, to talk about their Archer Daniels Millet, talk about their experiences. I was able to have NASA JPL engineer who's who's Hispanic who kind of talked about and I think he was he was taught by Jaime Escalante you know renowned yes yes yes because he's from out in California so he talked about how he came from you know that first generation background to getting into to NASA and and how he you know he he built he builds NASA rovers. He was part of the Perseverance mission and Mars and whatnot. And some of our guest speakers have also we have an African American guest speaker from Farnsworth. It was part of that group. So it's just it's just kind of these little things like okay, I can see myself in this, right? But then also we have we we started to form chapters of national engineering organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Hispanic Engineers, and we're working on socioengineers right now, and so that will be a good way for students to kind of find support, and also we have space for them now. Yeah, I know to further their identity, like you said. So yeah, I'm excited for these things to kind of further develop as well. But yeah, it's definitely something that we still feel is important. Obviously, there's been some headwinds with the administration with things, but we've been able to still make clear what our mission is. Again, for all students to make sure that they feel that engineering is inclusive and approachable to them, because I we do try to mystify. Mystify this idea that, like, you have to be good at math, or it's good you have to do math, but like, but like, or that engineering is super, super hard. I mean, like, if you're into it, you can. It will not be as hard as have the passion for it. You have the passion for it, right? Yes. So it's just kind of reinforcing those messages to students who may feel like, is this approachable to me? Yeah. So

I think that's a great way to look at it. I mean, any major people could have that hesitation, but it's nice, like you said, the engineering program is taking it on by allowing freshmen to get straight into those engineering classes and the design classes to see, like, no, this is approachable. This is what you can do, and you'll be able to do more then in your next years here. So, I mean, our class, our first class was very underrepresented, and so when you go to class and you see, oh, there's another female in here, or there's you know, so so organically some you know friendship groups were forming, and then even all all the students kind of formed friendship groups. This is nice to see just cross over all all around, but that aspect was just nice to see happening organically as well. 

Rachel: Yeah, great. So my last question is: What's next for the College of Engineering? What can you share that might be exciting? You know, whether that's curriculum, more scholarships, excited for this next cohort to come in, growing cohorts. What's what's happening? 

Branden: Oh gosh, wow. Well, I think the big thing right now is just getting the building ready, and you know having our you know grand opening ribbon cutting event. And I'm in the process of hiring some additional engineering ambassadors so that we can give tours. Yeah, they could be at the front desk. All those different people are going to start visiting. I want tours. I can only take so many steps, you know, as myself during the tours, and so that's really exciting. I'm excited, you know. We had recently State Farm and some some local engineering science teachers from like Unit Five and University High School as well, and so just talking about getting students over, and you know, having these high school visits and all those different things. So, just kind of working on what the visit experience will look like for people, so that people can learn more about the college. Because we're not as shocking enough as not everyone knows that we have a College of Engineering. I know. I had a couple students. Yeah, we're going to. Yeah, I had a couple students reach out to me in February and like, I just applied because I found out about you on social media, I'm like, oh my god, okay, that's great. I'm glad you just found out, but yeah. And then obviously we want to continue to grow our scholarship base because that's really really important. And so we continue to kind of acquire more industry partners. As as again, I think it'll be easier to I don't you don't use term sell them, but get them to want to invest in it when they can see you actually have actual space now. You're not just a concept. It's like, oh, look at these labs, awesome, right? So that's really really exciting. And of course, eventually we do want to grow. That's why we're in this building because, based off of our space, we can accommodate eventually over 1000 students in that space, and so I can't officially, you know, say that what is it where it's not going to happen. I'll tell you my perspective on things that every week I am asked about civil engineering, so I think that hopefully we are next foray into into that because I think it's really going to help fulfill another. Yeah, when you have the interest, as I say, the need interest is there. I I feel like it is. So yeah. So so yeah. I guess the next few months will just be focused on like getting people in, spotlighting the the the the building and what all the facets are in there, and hopefully getting the third class excited about joining us as well. This will also be the first year that we are officially will have our transfer application open, so we can start. You know, yeah, we have accepted some transfer students this past year, but now it's like officially on the application, and people is kind of more open and out there. So I'm excited to see what comes from that as well, and continue to kind of establish articulations with different community colleges. So, so yeah, a lot, a lot of things

to look forward to.

Rachel: I would say that's a lot happening. 

Branden: Yes, a lot. Yes, I'm like, what's happening today? Yeah, my calendar is king. I I really need my Outlook calendar, or I'll be lost. 

Rachel: Well, I'm glad you took the time to stop by and talk to us, say, and appreciate sharing everything that went to the college engineering and what's to come. So thanks, Brandon. 

Branden: Thank you so much for having me.

Rachel: And that was College of Engineering's Director of Student Success and Recruitment, Brandon Delk. Thanks for listening to Red Bird Buzz. Tune in next time for more stories from beyond the quad.