Meet the Faculty

Beth BanksLecturer, Business

Beth Banks is a seasoned Human Resource professional with over 30 years of experience in the field. Beth worked at Harvard University for 38 years and retired in 2021. Beth began her Harvard career working in various positions in Student Services and Information Technology. She joined the Harvard Kennedy School’s (HKS) Office of Human Resources in 1993 as a generalist and was successively promoted into the role of Associate Dean for Human Resources. Under Beth’s leadership, HKS was one of the first Harvard graduate schools to formalize and embrace 360 feedback, succession planning, and flexible work arrangements.

Beth has a passion for public service as evidenced by her contributions on the Transition Teams for both Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick (2006-2007) and Mayor of Newton Setti Warren (2009-2010).

Beth Banks did her undergraduate work at Boston University, graduate work at Harvard Extension and Lesley University, and completed executive education courses at Simmons College’s School of Management and Harvard Kennedy School. She served as Adjunct Lecturer at Bentley University for human resources courses and is excited to continue developing her love for teaching at the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology.

• Phone :

  617-312-0834
• Email :

  bbanks@franklincummings.edu
• Office :

William J. McGovern (Terry)Instructor

William (Terry) McGovern has been a Registered Professional Land Surveyor in Massachusetts for over 25 years and worked on a variety of projects throughout eastern Massachusetts during that time. He is also a Certified Soil Evaluator.

He is a graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and also completed an Associate of Engineering Technology degree in Civil Engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Since 1990 he has taught courses in Surveying, Highway Design, AutoCAD and Capstone Design at Wentworth in addition to his role as a registered land surveyor.

• Phone :

  781-424-6380
• Email :

  tmcgovern@franklincummings.edu
• Office :

David PolsonInstructor

David Polson is a utility professional with over 30 years of construction, operations, project management, and contract management experience.  As the utility industry continues to focus on green and non-carbon emitting electric generation, hehas worked on solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects to help reach environmental goals. Polson earned a Master of Science in Management from Worchester Polytechnic Institute; a Master of Science in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology; and a Graduate Certificate in Operational Leadership, Bachelor of Science in Management, and an Associate degree in Electro-Mechanical Technology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He holds a State of Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License and a Home Improvement Contractor License. He is a member of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) New England Chapter and Vice-Chairman of the Training and Development Committee of New England Public Power Association (NEPPA). He believes knowledge and experience should be shared as we strive to support the next generation of construction professionals.

• Phone :
• Email :

  dpolson@franklincummings.edu
• Office :

  Union Building - U304

Nikhil SatyalaAssociate Professor and Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and the Trades

Dr. Nikhil Satyala teaches in the Engineering Technology program. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University, Master of Engineering in Electronics from the University of Texas at Tyler and a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University.

• Phone :

  617-588-1308
• Email :

  nsatyala@franklincummings.edu
• Office :

  Kendall Building - K401

Yvonne SpicerLecturer, Business

Dr. Yvonne Spicer is a graduate of the State University of New York-Oswego where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts & Technology and a Master of Science degree in Technology Education. She earned her doctorate in 2004 from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in Educational Leadership. Dr. Spicer also holds several honorary doctoral degrees as well as numerous awards and honors. Dr. Spicer is the first Mayor of Framingham (2018-2022) and the first African American woman popularly elected Mayor in the state of Massachusetts. She was previously the Vice President for Advocacy and Educational Partnerships at the Museum of Science, Boston. Prior to joining the museum, she served as a teacher and administrator in both Framingham and Newton Public Schools. A staunch believer in “hands on minds on” learning, she takes this approach to pedagogy and practice to make learning real world and applicable.

• Phone :

  508-834-3177
• Email :

  yspicer@franklincummings.edu
• Office :

Leslie TuplinAssistant Professor and Chair, Construction Management Program

Leslie Tuplin earned a Masters of Science in Construction Management (MSCM) from Wentworth Institute of Technology; a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from Northeastern University; and an Associate in Science in Architectural Engineering Technology from Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology. She is a Licensed Contractor-Unrestricted, MA-CSL; Home Improvement Contractor MA – HIC; Licensed Sanitary Installer – Beverly, MA; State of Massachusetts – Certified Minority Contractor; SOWMBA/ODS Certified, MA; and OSHA Certified.

• Phone :
• Email :

  ltuplin@franklincummings.edu
• Office :

  Union Building - U304A

Lap YanAssistant Professor

Lap Yan has over 35 years of experience in the design and construction field having worked on such high profile projects such as the Bank of America skyscraper headquarters in Manhattan, New York (at the time of completion, the 2nd tallest building on New York), the Ground Zero cleanup and restoration after 9/11, the South Boston Convention Exposition Center, and the expansion of Massachusetts Institute of Technology into Kendall Square.

He holds a bachelors degree in Architecture, an MBA in finance and Marketing from New York University’s Stern School of Business, and is in the dissertation phase of his PhD in social Policy from Fordham University.

He is also a veteran of the US Marine Corps, where he retired after 23 years of service. He has served overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq), earning combat action ribbons in both campaigns.

In addition, he is serving the city of Framingham on the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), where he decides on cases where applicants apply for variances to the zoning resolution based on Massachusetts zoning requirements.

• Phone :
• Email :

  lyan@franklincummings.edu
• Office :