Dr. Brendon Kirby

Full-Time Faculty, Welding Technology
Technology and Engineering Division
Fullerton College

Dr. Brendon Kirby brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the field of welding technology. With over two decades of hands-on practical knowledge in welding, construction management, and technical education, Dr. Kirby has become a recognized leader in his field. He earned a Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership from California State University, Fullerton, where his qualitative research explored stakeholder goals and desired student outcomes in community college welding programs.

Dr. Kirby’s commitment to excellence is evidenced through his contributions to industry-leading textbooks such as the 6th edition of Welding Fundamentals and the 12th edition of Modern Welding. His dedication to student success has led to achievements like guiding students to gold and silver medals at state-level SkillsUSA welding competitions and acquiring over $466,000 in funding to enhance the Fullerton College Welding Department through the Strong Workforce Program.

• Ed.D. in Community College Leadership, California State University, Fullerton (2023)
• MBA, Grand Canyon University (2019)
• BA in Business Administration with a Concentration in Operations Management, California State University, Fullerton (2014)
• AS in Manufacturing Technology, Fullerton College (2011)
• AS in Water Treatment, Santiago Canyon College (2023)

Dr. Kirby is an active contributor to professional organizations such as the American Welding Society (AWS), serving as the 2nd Vice-Chair for the Long Beach/Orange County Section and a voting member of the D1 Structural Welding Code Qualification subcommittee. In 2024, he received the prestigious Section Meritorious Award for his contributions to the welding industry.

His academic and industry involvement includes curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and acting as a subject matter expert for the development of AWS Welding Procedure Qualifier (WPQ2) certification exams. Additionally, Dr. Kirby has participated in national conferences, such as FABTECH and AWS professional programs, where he continues to advocate for advancements in welding technology education.

Dr. Kirby holds numerous industry certifications, including:

• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) with WPQ2 endorsement
• AWS Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)
• AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
• ICC Structural Steel and Welding Special Inspector Certifications
• ASNT ACCP NDT Level II in Visual Testing
• OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety Certification
• California Welding Contractor License (C-60)

As a full-time faculty member at Fullerton College, Dr. Kirby emphasizes safety, innovation, and industry relevance in his teaching. He is deeply committed to preparing students for successful careers in welding and related trades, fostering technical excellence, and encouraging lifelong learning.

Dr. Kirby is actively involved in community outreach and campus initiatives. He has coordinated events such as AWS Student Nights and industry tours, collaborated on curriculum enhancements, and provided mentorship to students aspiring to enter the welding industry. Additionally, Dr. Kirby currently serves as an alternate faculty senator representing the Technology and Engineering (T&E) Division and has served in numerous other campus roles and on committees including Smart Start Saturday, North Orange County Community College District Equivalency, Puente, Winter Session Task Force, T&E Career Fair Planning, etc. His efforts in promoting technical education have helped bridge the gap between academia and industry.

For more information about Dr. Kirby’s work or to connect, please email bkirby@fullcoll.edu

American Welding Society Safety in Welding course (free version)

https://www.aws.org/certification-and-education/education/safety-in-welding/#modules

American Welding Society Careers in Welding (Job Postings)

https://www.aws.org/career-resources/

Fullerton College Technology and Engineering Division webpage

https://techeng.fullcoll.edu/