Vincent Wilczynski

Timeline

1. 1994–2004

   FIRST Robotics outreach

   In 1994, he starts and mentors a FIRST Robotics Competition team in Groton, Connecticut. On sabbatical from the Coast Guard Academy in early 1999, he becomes the competition’s program director, and later in 1999 helps FIRST explore the concept that becomes FIRST LEGO League; in 2004, he pilots a Connecticut outreach program that trials an early FIRST Tech Challenge kit.

2. 2001

   A national teaching award

   In 2001, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching honor him as Professor of the Year for a Baccalaureate Institution.

3. 2005

   The Church Medal for education

   In 2005, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers awards him the Edwin F. Church Medal for eminent service to mechanical engineering education.

4. 2010

   From Coast Guard to Yale

   After 27 years in the Coast Guard, including as dean of engineering at its Academy, he retires as a captain in 2010 and becomes deputy dean of Yale’s School of Engineering & Applied Science. He holds a B.S. from the Coast Guard Academy, an M.S. in mechanical engineering from MIT, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from The Catholic University of America.

5. 2012–2018

   Yale’s engineering maker space

   Yale’s Center for Engineering Innovation and Design opens on Prospect Street in 2012. James S. Tyler endows its directorship in 2015, and Wilczynski becomes the inaugural James S. Tyler Director for a four-year term. Tyler commits $20 million to the center in 2016; by 2018, it has more than 5,000 current and former members.

6. 2018

   A training tool for Yale athletes

   In 2018, he co-teaches Yale’s Introduction to Engineering Innovation & Design course with senior research scientist Lawrence Wilen. Student teams develop the Lightboard at CEID to help goalies improve reaction times, and Yale’s lacrosse, soccer, and hockey teams use it in practice.

7. 2026

   An award for Yale service

   In 2026, the Yale Science & Engineering Association presents him with its Award for Meritorious Service to Yale University for his contributions to engineering education and innovation. His work advances hands-on, project-based learning and collaboration across the university.

8. As of October 2026

   Deputy dean and FIRST treasurer

   As of October 2026, he is deputy dean of Yale’s School of Engineering & Applied Science and founding director of its Center for Engineering Innovation and Design. He is Treasurer of the FIRST Board of Directors and co-chair of the FIRST Executive Advisory Board, and a founding principal of Semper Verum Partners, which provides strategic planning, systems analysis, and product-development services to higher education, government, and businesses.