Education

• Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Lehigh University
• M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Connecticut
• B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Connecticut

Select Recent Publications and Scholarship

Engineering Formation, Faith, and AI

• The t-Shaped Engineer in the Age of AI: Formation, Vocation, and Christian Education in the Digital Age (Wipf & Stock, 2026)
• McGinnis, M.J. & Lett, J. Engineering, Meaning and Faith: Professional Formation of Engineers with Magnitude and Direction (Christian Engineering Conference, 2024, Best Paper Nominee)
• McGinnis, M.J. Engineering, Meaning & Purpose: Professional Formation of Engineers for Modern Needs (FABTECH/AWS Professional Program, 2024)
• McGinnis, M.J. & Green, M. Meaningful Work Matters to the Welding Engineering Workforce (AWS Welding Journal, 2025)
• McGinnis, M.J. Measuring and Encouraging Christian Faith Development in STEM Students (Christian Engineering Conference, 2026)
• McGinnis, M.J., Gangone, Walsh, Lisk & Welch. Professional Formation of Structural Engineers for Modern Needs – Technical, Relational and Purpose Alignment (ASCE Structures Congress, 2026)

Leadership and Engineering Education

• McGinnis, M.J. & Green, M. Transitions in Engineering Education Leadership: Interim to Permanent Deans and Chairs (ASEE Annual Conference, 2024)
• Green, M. & McGinnis, M.J. Christian Stewardship During Transitions in Engineering Academic Leadership (Christian Engineering Conference, 2024)
• McGinnis, M.J. Creation and Delivery of a Faculty Workshop on Grading (ASEE Annual Conference, 2025)
• McGinnis, M.J., Johnson, J., Johnson, A. Redesign of First-Year Engineering Programs with Intentionality and Urgency (ASEE Annual Conference, 2025)

Structural Engineering and Materials Research (Selected Technical Contributions)

• McGinnis, Gangone, Nogales, et al. Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Hollow Core Slabs, Structural Concrete (2024)
• McGinnis, Davis, de la Rosa, Weldon & Kurama. Strength and Stiffness of Recycled Concrete Aggregate Concrete, Construction and Building Materials (2017)
• McGinnis & Pessiki. Experimental Study of the Core-Drilling Method for Evaluating In Situ Stresses in Concrete Structures, ASCE Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering (2015)
• McGinnis. In Situ Stresses in Bridge Beams Parts I & II, Magazine of Concrete Research (2015)
• McGinnis, Pessiki & Turker. Application of 3D Digital Image Correlation to the Core-Drilling Method, Experimental Mechanics (2005)

See Dr. McGinnis's CV for a more comprehensive list of publications and scholarship.

I am one of those rarities: an adult convert to Christianity. Through the writings of C.S. Lewis and Tim Keller, I encountered a compelling vision of faith that ultimately led me to Christ. That journey continues today, sustained by God's grace and faithfulness.

Since 2023, I have served as Dean of Engineering and Engineering Technology at LeTourneau University. Prior to coming to LeTourneau, I served at The University of Texas at Tyler as Interim Dean, Associate Dean of Engineering, and Chair of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management.

My professional background is in structural engineering. My disciplinary research includes dozens of publications in nondestructive evaluation of structures, particularly the application of digital image correlation, structural system behavior, and sustainable civil engineering materials. In recent years, however, my scholarly interests have increasingly focused on the future of engineering education, especially within Christian higher education.

I am particularly interested in how emerging technologies, changing cultural conditions, and artificial intelligence are shaping the formation of engineers. My work explores how educators can cultivate engineers who possess not only technical excellence, but also relational wisdom and Christ-centered purpose. These ideas are captured in my framework of the t-Shaped Engineer, which emphasizes technical depth, relational breadth, and vocational alignment.

In support of this work, I have authored The t-Shaped Engineer in the Age of AI (Wipf and Stock 2026), presented nationally on engineering formation and vocational education, and have been invited to speak at universities, conferences, and professional gatherings on the future of Christian engineering education.

My wife, Alison, and I are the parents of three children, and we make our home in East Texas.