John M. Mativo, an associate professor in the department of career and information studies in the College of Education at the University of Georgia, was recognized as the Society of Automotive Engineers’ Outstanding Faculty Advisor at the International Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress Experience in Detroit, Michigan.
In 2014, Dr. Mativo and four students organized the University of Georgia chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers — later renamed UGA Motorsports. Today, UGA Motorsports has more than 100 members.
“The SAE Outstanding Faculty Advisor award is a recognition about being able to make a contribution to students to learn about vehicles,” Dr. Mativo said. “Especially using their engineering background and applying it to designing and building a vehicle from scratch, testing it, and meeting specifications that allow it to compete.”
“I consider the club activities as a learning tool — this is experiential learning for students,” Dr. Mativo added. “It offers a platform for students to really get engaged and practice what they learn in classrooms and experience teamwork.”
Dr. Mativo joined the faculty at the University of Georgia in 2007 and was promoted and awarded tenure in 2013. Earlier, he taught at Ohio Northern University.
Dr. Mativo holds bachelor’s degrees in theology and industrial technology from the University of East Africa in Baraton, Kenya. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Auburn University in Alabama and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Dayton in Ohio. Dr. Mativo holds a master’s degree in education and an educational doctorate from the University of Georgia.
