May 21, 2024

Kate O’Connor tapped to be dean of Ferris State’s College of Engineering Technology, helping students gain skills for evolving fields

Kate O’Connor has been selected to be dean of Ferris State’s University’s College of Engineering Technology, overseeing programs that provide in-demand skills plays a key role in developing a talented workforce boosting the state and local economy.

The college provides a range of degree programs spanning the Built Environment, Engineering and Computing Technology, Automotive and Heavy Equipment, and Design and Manufacturing disciplines.

O'Connor, who joined Ferris State in 2021, has served as the interim dean since July 2023. Prior to her tenure at Ferris State, she held a decade of leadership positions at the Marywood University School of Architecture, in Scranton, Penn.

Bobby Fleischman, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, commended O'Connor for her exceptional leadership of the college, expressing confidence in her ability to continue guiding students towards rewarding careers by equipping them with in-demand skills.

"You don’t have to spend much time around Kate to know she is passionate and charismatic," Fleischman said. "The programs in the College of Engineering Technology are already recognized as some of the best in the nation. The fields are also among the ones most quickly evolving. Under Kate’s leadership, we will continue to prepare students for careers of today, and of the future."

O'Connor holds a Master of Architecture from Tulane University and two bachelor’s degrees from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Her pedagogical pursuit explores community visioning through design thinking, and her current research interest is related to transdisciplinary leadership and creativity for sustainability.

O'Connor's has been published in several scholarly journals, such as Il Quaderno and Telesis Volume III, as well as a book chapter in Turning Points, Responsive Pedagogies in Studio Art Education. She has presented on national and international stages.

Reflecting on her new role, O'Connor emphasized the multitude of opportunities within Ferris State University's College of Engineering Technology, including interdisciplinary programs, cutting-edge technology, and innovative curriculum.

“Ferris State is excellently positioned in a competitive national market of technology-based programs and fosters a culture of inclusion and free-thinking from day one, ultimately benefiting our students, community, and state as a whole,” she said. “I am excited about leading the Ferris State College of Engineering Technology and contributing to the advancement of experiential learning, the development of market-responsive academic programs, and preparing the next-generation of builders, creators, designers, and innovators to make their mark on our world."