Craig Menzemer named dean of UA’s College of Engineering and Polymer Science

Craig Menzemer, Ph.D.

The University of Akron (UA) has selected Craig Menzemer, Ph.D. as dean of the College of Engineering and Polymer Science, effective April 1, 2022. The appointment is pending approval by the University’s Board of Trustees. He has been serving as interim dean since 2018.

“Dr. Menzemer’s leadership in the College of Engineering and Polymer Science has been critical to the success of moving the college and University forward,” said John Wiencek, Ph.D., executive vice president and provost. “The University’s engineering and polymer programs have global reputations for groundbreaking research and innovative technology that have made the world a better place to live for all of us. We are grateful that Dr. Menzemer is continuing as dean of the college, especially with his wealth of experience that will benefit our students and future workforce.”

As dean, Menzemer is responsible for the day-to-day functions of the college, including curriculum development, student assessment, recruitment and budgeting. As its leader, Menzemer steered efforts to improve the infrastructure of the college, such as replacing the bridge leading to the Auburn Science and Engineering Center and managed the reorganization of three colleges and an academic unit into the College of Engineering and Polymer Science. He also developed five-year bachelor’s and master’s programs and helped to develop and conceive the Timken Foundation Center for Precision Manufacturing on campus.

“It is an honor to continue to serve our students and The University of Akron community as dean,” said Menzemer. “UA has a rich history of academic excellence, and the College of Engineering and Polymer Science is at the heart of that tradition of excellence. Together, we can achieve even greater levels of success. Go Zips!”

Menzemer has nearly 40 years of experience in industry and in higher education. He joined UA in 1996 as a faculty member in the Department of Civil Engineering before briefly serving as interim assistant dean and then associate dean from 2010-2018. In 2018, Menzemer was appointed interim dean and partially maintained his role in the classroom as a professor of civil engineering. Prior to academia, Menzemer spent 14 years working in industry for United States Steel Corp. and Alcoa.

Menzemer earned his bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees, all in civil engineering, from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.

Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.