Our Staff
Patricia Rheaume
Contact Information
Higgins Laboratories, 130
Phone: +1-508-831-4875
prheaume@wpi.edu
Patricia Rheaume
- Operations Manager
Pat oversees all aspects of the daily operations of the Mechanical Engineering Department. She holds a BS in Business Administration from Becker College and is currently enrolled in the Master of Organizational Leadership program at Nichols College. She worked as an administrative assistant in the School of Business for two years before transferring into the ME Department. Pat is certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA) as a kayak instructor and in her free time she enjoys kayaking, hiking and biking.
Administrative Staff
Gloria Boudreau
Contact Information
Higgins Laboratories, Room 250
Phone: +1-508-831-5221
gboudreau@wpi.edu
Gloria Boudreau
- Administrative Assistant V
Gloria provides administrative support to the exceptional students and faculty within the Aerospace program at WPI, and finds it very rewarding. She also supports the Mechanical Engineering department with textbook ordering and updating the website, and enjoys working with the dedicated ME faculty and staff. She has a BS in Human Services from Fitchburg State University and worked there prior to coming to WPI in 2007. Gloria loves to travel and lived in Brussels Belgium for three years, providing her with the opportunity to visit many European countries.
Renee Brodeur
Contact Information
Washburn Shops, Room 331
Phone: +1-508-831-5003
rbrodeur@wpi.edu
Renee Brodeur
- Assistant Manager of Operations, MPI
B.S. Electrical Engineering, WPI, 1983
Renee Brodeur has worked in the high-tech computer and network industries for corporations such as Hughes Aircraft, MITRE, Prime Computer, Sequoia Systems, Sonus Networks, and most recently Motorola. She has experience in many areas of the product development life cycle including firmware/software development, systems engineer, quality assurance, and technical writing. Renee returns to WPI as part of the MPI administrative team. In her role as Assistant Manager of Operations, she is responsible for maintaining MPI's financial accounts and web presence, and helping with general activities of the MPI office.
Statia Canning
Contact Information
Higgins Laboratories, 130
Phone: +1-508-831-5236
scanning@wpi.edu
Statia Canning
- Administrative Assistant
Statia provides administrative support to the students, faculty and staff in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. She is responsible for the student payroll, and works closely with the Admissions Office in coordinating Open House presentations and arranging visits for potential ME students. Statia worked in the Department of Management at WPI for three years prior to joining the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2010.
Barbara Edilberti
Contact Information
Higgins Laboratories, Room 130
Phone: +1-508-831-5026
edilbert@wpi.edu
Barbara Edilberti
- Administrative Assistant V
Assistance in coordination of Mechanical Engineering Graduate Committee Activities, also includes record keeping for all enrolled ME graduate students. My achievements have been working with students from the start of their program until they receive their degree. Outside of work, I enjoy my family and friends.
Barbara Furhman
Contact Information
Higgins Laboratories, Room 130
Phone: +1-508-831-6046
bfurhman@wpi.edu
Barbara Furhman
- Administrative Assistant VI
Purchases supplies for faculty & students. Processes payments & expense reports. Works on pcard purchases and reconcile statements. Administers ME faculty accounts, grants, and one operation account. Works on student payroll. Created and adopted new forms.
Maureen Plunkett
Contact Information
Washburn Shops, Room 329
Phone: +1-508-831-5992
mrp@wpi.edu
Maureen Plunkett
- Administrative Assistant, MPI
B.S. Assumption College, 2008
Maureen Plunkett supports the administrative and liaison activities of the Metal Processing Institute.
Rita Shilansky
Contact Information
Washburn Shops, Room 244
Phone: +1-508-831-5633
rita@wpi.edu
Rita Shilansky
- Administrative Assistant
Rita Shilansky has held two positions at WPI from 1990 to present: administrative secretary in Student Activities, and now administrative assistant in Materials Science and Engineering and the center iMdc. She holds a BS in Urban Studies from Worcester State University and worked for the City of Worcester for 10 years before coming to WPI. She is responsible for financial accounting, maintaining websites, and administrative work for both the faculty and graduate students.
Research Staff
Carol Garofoli
Contact Information
Washburn Shops, 330
Phone: +1-508-831-5592
garofoli@wpi.edu
Carol Garofoli
- Director of Operations, Metal Processing Institute
Carol Garofoli has held various positions in academic administration at WPI and, from 1990 to 1996, was director of academic operations in the provost's office. She holds a BS in business management and an MBA. As MPI's director of operations, she is the primary liaison with WPI's accounting, purchasing, and human resources offices, and is responsible for interacting with MPI's consortium companies. Garofoli facilitates MPI activities for programs and oversees its website and communications.
Machine Shop Staff
Kevin Arruda
Contact Information
Higgins Laboratories, Room 004
Phone: +1-508-831-5319
karruda@wpi.edu
Kevin Arruda
- Lab Machinist
Kevin Arruda’s Job responsibilities include managing the Higgins Machine Lab. Helping students conceive and alter mechanical designs so that they can be manufactured in the facilities at WPI. Other responsibilities include instructing students how to use CAD (computer aided design) and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) software. As well as instructing students how to safely and effectively use hand operated, and CNC (computer numeric controlled) machine tools. I am also an instructor at the HAAS Technical Education Center in Washburn Machine Lab.
