Naming its first-ever associate dean for corporate engagement and entrepreneurship, the College of Engineering has taken a bold first step in igniting an enhanced corporate engagement and entrepreneurial culture designed for impact.
The Thomas and Suzanne Werner Chair Professor in nuclear engineering and engineering physics, co-founder of Realta Fusion, former college associate dean for research innovation, and director of the Grainger Institute for Engineering, Oliver Schmitz assumes the role of associate dean for corporate engagement and entrepreneurship, beginning today (Oct. 1, 2025).
Schmitz has forged partnerships that go beyond traditional research approaches—for instance, through the statewide network of the Clean Energy Community Initiative, and by supporting the formation of the campuswide Wisconsin CHIPS Center. He also formed the college’s Office of Corporate Relations (OCR) and the Technology Entrepreneurship Office (TEO). He coupled both offices with the Grainger Institute for Engineering, which he also oversees, to link ideation and innovation to application of our excellence in the corporate and entrepreneurial space. Schmitz will bring his creativity, deep technology expertise and highly collaborative, collegial style and a strong Wisconsin-wide network to this new role.
Read the full story here: https://engineering.wisc.edu/blog/associate-dean-role-launches-new-era-for-college-entrepreneurship-and-industry-partnership/