Rustin Vogt, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a Sacramento State graduate, has helped us expand our Summer Academies for High School Students. He has also put his expertise to use on a couple of fronts in the community. This year he will be teaching Presentation Skills for College with Kelly Siefkin, a development director at the College of Continuing Education and the Alumni Association.

Vogt advises mechanical engineering students who compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. Students design and build a net-zero solar house that’s so energy efficient it produces as much renewable energy as it consumes over the course of a year.

In addition, Vogt has played a major role in the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Tiny House Competition, where students are required to build a net-zero solar house that has to measure under 400-square feet, about the size of a two-car garage.  

Watch: Professor Rustin Vogt on “Good Day” and other videosI

Vogt has taught the robotics and welding summer academies, which we expect to see back on campus next summer.

His scholarly research includes product design and manufacturing, dynamics, materials science and robotics. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Sacramento State and his doctorate at UC Davis in materials science and engineering.