Leadership
Serving our community
Engineering plays a key role in solving society’s greatest challenges
We are providing transformative experiences that are building a future where every engineer can thrive. Every member of our community gets to be heard, be involved and be empowered to achieve to their full potential. This ensures that talented Michigan Engineers here and across the globe can serve the common good.
Office of the Dean
Dean Karen A. Thole
The Office of the Dean is responsible for the leadership and administration of the Michigan Engineering community, supporting faculty, students and staff as they pursue their programs in education, research and service.
Department chairs & program directors
Dean’s cabinet
Debbie Mero
Sr Executive Director of Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Resource Planning and Management
Chris LaBelle
Executive Director, Online & Professional Education (Michigan Engineering Online & Professional Education)
Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering endowment
Robert Vlasic was a distinguished civic leader who earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial and mechanical engineering from U-M in 1949, where he was a member of Tau Beta Pi. After college, he worked in the Detroit food distribution business founded by his father. He assumed leadership of Vlasic Foods Co. in 1963 when it was still a small, local Michigan pickle producer. By 1978, the business had grown to $100 million and ranked number one in the nation, when it was sold to Campbell Soup Co. Bob served as a director of Campbell Soup Co. and retired as chair in 1996. He founded O/E Automation, Inc., based in Troy, Mich. His 1996 gift to U-M established the endowed position known as the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering. It was the first endowed deanship in any U-M school or college.