Honoring 20 Years of Teaching: Founder Sargon Ishaya’s Commitment to Engineering Education

San José State University recently recognized our Founder, Sargon Ishaya, for 20 years of dedicated service as an adjunct faculty member in the Mechanical Engineering Department. This milestone reflects more than just time—it represents two decades of bridging industry knowledge with academic growth, mentorship, and professional development for the next generation of mechanical engineers.

A Legacy Rooted in Mentorship

Sargon’s journey into academia didn’t begin in a classroom. It began with a student’s senior project pitch—one that lacked a clear plan or budget. Sargon challenged the student to return with a framework and offered to help build it.

That moment caught the attention of Dr. Fred Barez, Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering at SJSU, who saw not only Sargon’s technical expertise but also his commitment to mentorship. The next year, Sargon was invited to take over the university’s senior-level HVAC design course—and he’s been teaching ever since.

“I agreed to teach because I saw it as a way to give the expertise I learned from my mentors to the engineering community,” Sargon shares.

Courses that Build Real-World Skills

Over the past 20 years, Sargon has taught:

• ME 183 – HVAC Distribution and Design
  A senior-level elective focused on airside system design and equipment selection for commercial buildings.

• ME 199 – Hydronic Distribution and Design
  A companion course centered on waterside systems used in industrial environments.

• Green Associate Seminar
  A short course introducing the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and preparing students for LEED accreditation, supporting their entry into sustainable building design.

These courses emphasize real-world application and technical rigor—values that align directly with how Pragmatic Professional Engineers approaches every project.

Engineering with Purpose

At Pragmatic, we believe in engineering with impact—and that extends beyond our project work. Sargon’s recognition reinforces our core belief that technical excellence should be shared, not siloed. His continued involvement in education is one way we stay connected to the evolving needs of the industry and contribute meaningfully to the profession’s future.

We celebrate this achievement with gratitude and pride. Congratulations, Sargon, and thank you for continuing to lead by example.