Associate deans join UA College of Engineering

01/20/2011

The University of Akron’s College of Engineering has appointed Dr. Craig C. Menzemer as associate dean for graduate studies and administration and Dr. Donald P. Visco Jr. as associate dean for undergraduate studies.

Craig C. Menzemer


Prior to his recent appointment, Menzemer served as the interim assistant dean for undergraduate studies, graduate studies and administration. He joined UA in 1996 after serving more than a decade as a product design and senior technical specialist with Alcoa. Previously, Menzemer was a construction management field engineer for United States Steel Corp. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees, all in civil engineering, at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.

As associate dean, Menzemer says he plans to continue expansion of the college’s graduate program.

“Over time, we would like to substantially increase the graduate student population within the college and provide significant, meaningful educational opportunities for these students,” Menzemer says.

An author, inventor and 2001 College of Engineering Teacher of the Year, Menzemer says he is privileged to continue his service to the college and its students.

Capitalizing on opportunities

“The College of Engineering provides students with a myriad of opportunities and an excellent education,” he says. “We are fortunate to have projects centered on the continual enhancement of the infrastructure and resources of the college.”

Donald P. Visco Jr.


Associate Dean Visco was a professor of chemical engineering and interim associate dean of engineering at Tennessee Technological University before joining UA at the beginning of this year. A U.S. Navy veteran, Visco received his bachelor of science degree and doctorate at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. He has received local, regional and national recognition for his research and teaching, including the American Society for Engineering Education’s National Outstanding Teaching Award as well as the Department of Energy’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Visco has been funded several times by various industries and organizations. Additionally, he has published more than 40 refereed journal articles and three book chapters. Visco’s research focuses mainly on computer-aided molecular design as applied to pharmaceuticals, cements and ionic liquids.

As associate dean, Visco plans to support the continued success of the College of Engineering though various activities, including recruitment and retention.

“The College of Engineering at UA has an impressive undergraduate student body which makes them attractive to many different industries and organizations. It is clear that there truly is ‘excellence, opportunity and energy’ in the College of Engineering. I am honored to be apart of it,” says Visco.

Media contacts: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@.uakron.edu, or Megan West, mcw25@zips.uakron.edu.

For more, visit the College of Engineering.