Born named interim dean of Padnos College of Engineering

Tim Born was named interim dean of the Padnos College of Engineering, effective June 1, following the retirement of founding dean Paul Plotkowski.

Born joined the college in 2013 as the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) programs coordinator, then became an associate dean and associate professor of occupational health and safety management in 2018. He said much of his time during the spring/summer semester will be spent ensuring a smooth transition from a joint college of engineering and computing to separate colleges.

Provost Fatma Mili called Born a "steady force in PCEC."

"His quiet and calm demeanor and strong sense of fairness earned him the trust and respect of all of his colleagues within PCEC and the university in general," Mili said. "I look forward to working with him."

Born said he looks forward to working with the faculty from engineering and occupational safety and health in his new role. "We will make sure they are in a position to grow and to be successful," he said. 

The PSM program, five graduate programs that train students in both professional and science skills, will move into the newly created College of Computing. As associate dean, Born taught a scientific ethics course in that program and said he will miss interacting with students.

"The PSM program draws a lot of international students, so there was a variety of perspectives. I will miss those discussions," he said.

Plotkowski, who retires at the end of May, said Born quickly made an impact at the college when he arrived to direct the PSM programs. "After moving to the associate dean position, he has become known as the go-to guy and a natural leader within Padnos College and elsewhere at Grand Valley," Plotkowski said.

Born earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Calvin College and a doctoral degree in biochemistry from the Mayo Clinic Graduate School. After post-doctoral work at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Born joined the chemistry faculty at George Mason University. He returned to West Michigan in 2013 to begin working at Grand Valley.