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, information systems, information technology, health informatics & bio-informatics, occupational safety and health and data science & analytics.  All of the undergraduate programs in the Padnos College require either internships (CS, 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) and as a frequent reviewer for the National Science Foundation.

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 and a 2020 Distinguished Alumnus of Tau Beta Pi – The National Engineering Honor Society.

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.