At College of Western Idaho (CWI), students in the Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program gain hands-on experience from instructors who bring years of real-world expertise across multiple industries. From telescope operations and satellite tracking to robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing, CWI’s Mechatronics faculty have built careers applying the same concepts they now teach. Their experience helps students connect classroom theory with practice, preparing them to step confidently into high-demand, high-tech careers.
Robert Novak began his path with a simple curiosity by taking things apart just to see how they worked. That curiosity grew into a global career in electronics, including telescope operations, satellite tracking, and industrial automation. As Department Chair, he leads the Mechatronics program, designing the curriculum and selecting instructors to ensure students develop practical, industry-relevant skills.
“We designed the Mechatronics program to meet real-world industry needs,” Novak said. “Bringing in instructors with hands-on experience gives students a chance to learn directly from professionals who have lived the work.”
Novak also emphasizes the importance of passion, persistence, and personal mentorship, understanding that life outside the classroom shapes academic success just as much as what happens inside.
Jim Jozwiak, Assistant Professor, Mechatronics Technology Drawing on decades of experience in both industry and academia, Assistant Professor, Jim Jozwiak, brings a unique perspective to his classroom. He has worked in automation, robotics, and complex mechanical systems, giving him firsthand insight into how Mechatronics concepts are applied in professional settings. His students benefit from his ability to connect abstract principles into real-world scenarios, showing them not just how to use the tools but why they matter.
To complement his Industrial Tools and Fabrication class, Jozwiak published Industrial Hand and Power Tools, a textbook designed specifically for the program.
“Students need a resource that matches what we do in the lab,” he said. “There wasn’t a good book, so I wrote one myself. It gives students a reference they can use alongside hands-on learning, bridging theory and practice.”
Sam Barker’s career spans the military, information technology, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing. He has worked as a manufacturing process engineer and manager at House of Design Robotics, where he helped implement large-scale automation systems, including those at Autovol, an automated modular construction company.
After years in high-stakes manufacturing, Barker transitioned to teaching as a way to stay connected to the field while helping shape its future workforce.
"Teaching at CWI lets me stay in the industry I love while training the very people I would have hired, helping them succeed in real-world settings," he said.
Barker focuses on hands-on learning, critical thinking, and troubleshooting, giving students practical strategies and lessons from his career. He also emphasizes applied mathematics, helping students understand not just how tasks are performed, but why processes work the way they do.
Together, CWI’s Mechatronics faculty create a learning environment that combines technical rigor with personal mentorship. Students explore complex systems in the classroom and labs, while gaining insight from instructors who have faced the challenges and successes of the professional world.
By focusing on hands-on experience, real-world applications, and supportive teaching, the program prepares graduates to enter high-demand fields with confidence and skill.
Learn more about Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program
