Professor Attaway coordinates and teaches the introductory engineering course for freshmen. Using MATLAB as the platform for instruction, she uses the approach of teaching basic programming concepts and the efficient use of built-in functions side-by-side. In 2009 she published a book detailing this innovative approach.

Professor Attaway is the Director of Curricular Assessment and Improvement for the College of Engineering. In this capacity, she coordinates the curricular assessment and improvement programs within the College, in order to better the academic experience of the undergraduates.