Paul D. Plotkowski, Ph.D.
Paul Plotkowski is the founding Dean of the Padnos College of
Engineering and Computing at Grand Valley State University. The
Padnos College enrolls nearly 2,500 students in a variety B.S. and
M.S. degree programs in engineering, computer science, cybersecurity,
information systems, information technology, health informatics &
bio-informatics, occupational safety & health, and data science
& analytics. All of the undergraduate programs in the Padnos
College require either internships (CS, Cybersecurity, IS, and OSH
programs) or co-operative education (Engineering programs). His
duties include nearly daily interaction with a wide variety of industries.
Paul has served as an international vice president of the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). His other activities include
serving as an accreditation visitor for mechanical, manufacturing, and
interdisciplinary engineering degree programs for the Accreditation
Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET).
Paul is a Fellow of ASME and has received numerous awards including
the Dedicated Service Award from ASME, the Outstanding Young
Manufacturing Engineer of the Year award from SME, the Outstanding
Educator award from Pi Tau Sigma, and the Alva K. Borman Award for
career accomplishments in cooperative education. Most recently he was
recognized as the 2018 Manufacturing Talent Champion by the Michigan
Manufacturer’s Association.
Paul holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering, and a
Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Oakland University. He has over 75
professional publications and presentations on topics ranging from
stress analysis, and machine vision to engineering education and
enhancing student success.