College of

Engineering, Architecture and Technology

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers has elected Dr. Virginia Charter, PE, FSFPE, to serve on its 2026 Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for guiding the strategic vision and governance of the Society on behalf of its global membership.

 

Charter brings extensive expertise in fire protection engineering education, research and professional leadership. Her election reflects distinguished contributions to the profession and a commitment to advancing fire safety engineering standards, technical knowledge and professional practice.

 

Charter is a College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Dale Janes Endowed Associate Professor and Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology Program Coordinator in the School of Fire, Construction and Emergency Management at Oklahoma State University. She holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies-higher education from OSU (2019), an M.S. in fire protection engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2012), and a B.S. in fire protection and safety engineering technology from OSU (2005).

 

Before returning to OSU in 2014, Charter worked as a fire protection engineer in Las Vegas, where she planned and evaluated fire protection, life safety and risk control systems for a variety of facilities.

 

Her research focuses on fire protection system effectiveness, including issues like corrosion, building and fire codes, informal settlement fire safety, and engineering education. She integrates real-world experience into her teaching and holds professional licensure as a fire protection engineer in multiple states.

 

“I am honored to have been elected by the membership of SFPE to be a part of the Board of Directors,” Charter said. “This organization shapes the future of fire protection engineering through education and advocacy. SFPE has been an instrumental part of my career, and I look forward to giving back to the organization in this way. I hope to provide a unique perspective representing higher education and for the students entering the field of fire protection engineering.”

 

Charter’s role on the Board will encompass supporting SFPE initiatives that strengthen professional development, enhance technical resources and promote the impact of fire protection engineering across industry and society.

 

About SFPE
The Society of Fire Protection Engineers has been a prominent professional organization since its establishment in 1950 and its incorporation as a nonprofit organization in 1971. As a leading global society, it represents professionals working in the field of fire protection and fire safety engineering. With over 5,000 members and more than 120 chapters worldwide, including more than 20 student chapters, SFPE has been rapidly growing.

 

SFPE serves its members and the profession by producing; the Fire Protection Engineering Handbook; engineering standards and guidelines; outreach and advocacy effort in addition to conducting research, organizing technical seminars, conferences, webinars and publications.

 

The Society is also instrumental in developing the Professional Engineer (PE) licensing exam in fire protection and supporting its grading under the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This critical role highlights SFPE's dedication to ensuring the highest professional standards for fire protection and safety engineering.