Dr. Harry Schoeller never set out to work in education. In fact, the idea of standing in front of a classroom was once one of his greatest fears. A self-described introvert, he was happiest working in research labs, analyzing materials, running experiments, and collaborating with small teams of graduate students.
But sometimes, life nudges us in unexpected directions, and for Dr. Schoeller, that nudge came in the form of necessity.
“I ran out of funding,” he recalls, reflecting on his time as a PhD student. “I needed to pay the bills, so I became a teaching assistant. Teaching was the last thing I wanted to do, but once I got over the nerves, I realized how rewarding it could be.”
Today, Dr. Schoeller is the chair of the engineering department at Germanna Community College, where he also oversees the mechatronics and computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) programs. While he still thrives on hands-on experimentation, his true passion lies in shaping the next generation of engineers.
But his path to academia wasn’t a straight one.
Before joining Germanna in 2016, Dr. Schoeller was a research engineer, working with a consortium of electronics firms—including industry giants like IBM and Lockheed Martin—to conduct fundamental research. He guided graduate students through their master's and PhD research, focusing on high-temperature electronics, thermal interface materials, and the reliability of electronic packages. It was work he loved, but in hindsight, it was also a stepping stone to something greater.
As he delved deeper into teaching, Dr. Schoeller found himself reflecting on his own educational experience.
Engineering eventually caught his interest, but his early experience in the field was all theory—no hands-on learning.
That experience would later drive Dr. Schoeller’s mission at Germanna. He saw firsthand the power of experiential learning during his time as a teaching assistant, and he knew it was something he wanted to bring to his own students.
When he arrived at Germanna, hands-on opportunities for engineering students were limited. There was one 3D printer, a laser cutter, and a small lab space, but those resources weren’t integrated into the curriculum.
“Over the years, we worked to change that,” he says. “Now, within their first year, students are designing and building functional prototypes. When I was in school, I didn’t get to create my first prototype until I was a senior. Here, they’re doing it right away.”
Dr. Schoeller has helped shape Germanna’s engineering program into one that prioritizes real-world application alongside theory.
He played a pivotal role in establishing a state-of-the-art engineering lab at the Fredericksburg Area Campus, providing students with access to cutting-edge technology and the opportunity to learn by doing.
Despite his many achievements, Dr. Schoeller remains humble. Through his journey from reluctant teaching assistant to dedicated professor, he has created an environment where students can engage with engineering in ways that make it real and tangible.
“Engineering is heavily rooted in theory,” he acknowledges. “And that can be a struggle for many students. But when they see it come to life—when they test something they’ve built or see the microstructure of a material under a microscope—it clicks. And that’s the best part of my job.”
Dr. Schoeller may have started in research, but teaching has become his true calling.