Maj. Rodney F. Wilkins, Ph.D., P.E. - Virginia Military Institute
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Maj. Rodney F. Wilkins, Ph.D., P.E.

Maj. Rodney F. Wilkins, Ph.D., P.E.

Associate Professor

Office: 623 Nichols Engineering

Phone: 540-464-7238

Email: wilkinsrf@vmi.edu

Fields: Fluid Mechanics, Materials & Energy Systems

Rodney F. Wilkins III, Ph.D., is an esteemed academic and engineering expert. His impressive academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia, an M.E. in Civil Engineering from the same institution, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from VPI&SU.

Currently, as an Instructor at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) since 2020, Rodney imparts his knowledge and expertise to aspiring engineers. His academic experience extends to roles as an Assistant Professor and Laboratory Manager at Eastern Mennonite University and previous instructional roles at the University of Virginia and James Madison University.

Beyond academia, Rodney’s career has been a journey of remarkable achievements, including serving as Research Manager at Energizer Holding Corporation and fulfilling various managerial roles at ASR Company. His career began as a Power Maintenance Engineer at Westvaco Corp and General Motors (SSG Division).

With certifications including a Professional Engineer in Virginia, Rodney is actively involved in professional organizations. His dedication to service is evident through his involvement in various community initiatives and educational outreach programs.

Rodney’s contributions to research and engineering are significant, with a range of publications and presentations over the past five years, including studies on energy infrastructure planning, environmental life cycle analysis, and more.

His commitment to professional development continues with ongoing consultancy work and contributions to collaborative book projects, making him a valuable asset to the engineering community.

Courses Taught

CE 203 Statics
CE 322 Water Resources
CE 350 Project Management
CE 417X Infrastructure
CE 121L Surveying
CE 305L Materials
CE 306L Geotech
CE 448 Capstone

Areas of Interest

  • Multiphase flow in porous media
  • High pressure and vacuum applications in Fluid Mechanics
  • Pump and piping systems
  • Sustainable energy systems and Infrastructure
  • Surface Engineering (Physicochemical processes)
  • Breaking down complex subjects in learning: How things work