Perry Moler, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Director of the Jimmy and Sherroll Shirley Makerspace

Dr. Perry Moler has been with A&M-Commerce for more than 15 years as either a student or a faculty member. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Moler applied his knowledge to create personal protective equipment for hospitals and law enforcement. He also created a fascinating Rube Goldberg machine with his associates in technology, management and engineering. Technology is his passion! In his down time, Moler is a fan of Super Rugby. He has been to Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Sydney to watch Super Rugby matches in person. Moler enjoys traveling across the U.S. and around the world. Almost all of his trips involve sporting events such as rugby and college football.

A Conversation with Dr. Moler

What draws you to your discipline?

Technology management is a wonderful discipline because it mixes engineering and technology with business applications. An example of this is the new 5G technology. This is allowing more devices to be connected, thus creating more data. The goal of an individual in technology management is to turn that data into information, which leads to knowledge, and then action by the organization.

What has been your favorite course to teach?

The most enjoyable course is TMGT 457 Emerging Technologies. We are looking five to ten years into the future to identify which technologies will be used every day. This period of time is seeing growth in computer power (quantum computing), artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Not only are there discussions about technology, but also ethics, patent generation and sustainability as well.

Tell us about a project you are currently working on or recently completed.

Since the first week of April, the Jimmy and Sherroll Shirley Makerspace has been assisting the A&M-Commerce response to Covid-19. We have made over 2,000 face shields for hospitals and local school districts. Along with 1,000 other types of personal protective equipment (PPE) for hospitals and local police departments. Besides making PPE, we have also created informative training videos for Texas A&M University System members.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Technology Management, Human Resources Development and Industrial Training Specialization, Indiana State University, 2017
• M.S., Technology Management, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2010
• B.S., Technology Management, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2005
• A.S., Technical Studies, Environmental Restoration, Hocking College, 2001

Academic Positions

• Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2018-present
• Instructor, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2011-2017
• Adjunct Faculty, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2010-2011

Research Interests

• Organizational Change and Development
• Smart Device Applications within Emerging Technologies
• Safety Training using Virtual and Augmented Reality

Professional Organizations

• Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineering
• Academy of Human Resource Development
• Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology

Selected Publications

• Moler, P. (2018). Engineering and technology students' perceptions of change and change readiness. 2018 Annual Conference Proceedings, Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineering (pp. 117-122). Raleigh, United States of America: Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineering
• “Corporate Social Responsibility: Human Resources' Role in Community Development,” Academy of Human Resource Development: International Research Conference in the Americas, San Antonio, 2017
• “Exploring the Appropriateness of Performance Management Models in Hospital Settings: A Review of Literature”, Academy of Human Resource Development: International Research Conference in Asia and MENA, Morocco, 2016

Featured Courses

ENGR 110 Introduction to Engine and Technology
ENGR 1304 Computer-Aided Design
TMGT 311 Environment and Safety Management
TMGT 439 Construction Management
TMGT 489 Risk Management