John Walz

President Milwaukee School of Engineering

  • Milwaukee WI

Dr. John Y. Walz is president of Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE).

Contact

Milwaukee School of Engineering

View more experts managed by Milwaukee School of Engineering

Spotlight

3 min

Higher education, biotech and innovation - will the future be part of the 2024 campaign?

As  the RNC brings national attention to Milwaukee, discussions are expected to cover pivotal topics such as biotechnology, innovation, and higher education. And as the Republican National Convention 2024 begins, journalists from across the nation and the world will converge on Milwaukee, not only to cover the political spectacle but also to dig deeper on the key issues that may decide the election. To help visiting journalists navigate and understand these issues and how and where the Republican policies are taking on these topics our MSOE experts are available to offer insights. Dr. Wujie Zhang, Dr. Jung Lee, Dr. Eric Baumgartner, Dr. Candela Marini, and Dr. John Walz are leading voices nationally on these important subjects and are ready to assist with any stories during the convention. Dr. John Walz President Expertise: Thought leadership on higher education, relevancy and value of higher ed View Profile “Engineering is not a very diverse field,” Walz said. “I want to continue to push those boundaries and make our programs open, to see more and more under-represented students come here and succeed here, and do well here.” MSOE president John Walz works to make 'hidden gem' not so hidden. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel May 17, 2023 Dr. Wujie Zhang Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Expertise: Biomaterials; Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering; Micro/Nano-technology; Drug Delivery; Stem Cell Research; Cancer Treatment; Cryobiology; Food Science and Engineering (Fluent in Chinese and English) View Profile “We accidentally noticed that we can make the hydrogel particle red blood cell shaped,” he explains. “We started then to make artificial red blood cells to mimic pretty much all aspects of red blood cells.” You're Somebody's Type MKE Lifestyle January 24, 2020 Dr. Jung Lee Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Expertise: Bioinformatics, drug design and molecular modeling. View Profile Dr. Eric Baumgartner Executive Vice President of Academics Expertise: Thought leadership on higher education, relevancy and value of higher ed, role of A.I. in future degrees and workforce development. View Profile MSOE serves as an educational resource to Wisconsin companies is building an A.I.-ready workforce. In 2018 MSOE was the first in the nation to launch a B.S. in Computer Science with a sole focus on A.I. and machine learning. Wisconsin Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence December, 2023 Dr. Candela Marini Assistant Professor Expertise: Latin American Studies and Visual Culture View Profile “Contrary to stereotypical images of Native Americans trying to stop ‘progress’ by fighting against mines and pipelines projects, the Menominees’ sustainable forestry stands out as a clear example of resource management that actually thinks about, and works for, the future,” said Marini. The MSOE Mindset visits the Menominee Indian Reservation MSOE Online April 11, 2019 . .    . Media Relations Contact To schedule an interview or for more information, please contact: JoEllen Burdue Senior Director of Communications and Media Relations Phone: (414) 839-0906 Email: burdue@msoe.edu . .    . About Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Milwaukee School of Engineering is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,800 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, business and nursing. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what's possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.

John WalzWujie Zhang, Ph.D.Candela Marini, Ph.D.Eric Baumgartner, Ph.D.Jung Lee, Ph.D.

Multimedia

Education, Licensure and Certification

Ph.D.

Chemical Engineering

Carnegie Mellon University

1992

M.S.

Chemical Engineering

Tulane University

1988

B.S.

Chemical Engineering

Tulane University

1982

Biography

MSOE is under the guidance and leadership of Dr. John Y. Walz, who began his term as the university’s fifth president on July 1, 2016. One of Walz’ first projects at MSOE was the implementation of a five-year strategic plan, leading to new a new degree, construction of campus advancements, improvements to student life, and so much more.

Walz was instrumental in the creation of the B.S. in Computer Science focused on artificial intelligence at MSOE, joining Carnegie Mellon as one of the first two universities in the nation to offer such an undergraduate degree. In order to support the technology forward degree and advance other academic programs, Walz worked with alumnus Dwight Diercks to develop the Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall, which is filled with next generation technologies that position MSOE at the forefront of artificial intelligence education.

Under Walz’ leadership, the Robert Spitzer Dining Commons was created and Roy W. Johnson Residence Hall was transformed into Hermann Viets Tower. The Ruehlow Nursing Complex expanded and the We Energies STEM Center at MSOE was created, Additionally, Raider Stadium was developed in partnership with Nicolet High School.

Outside of campus, Walz is an active board member for the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Wisconsin Technology Council, and Higher Education Regional Alliance. He also participates in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, Association of Independent Technological Universities, National Association of Independent Colleges, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges, and Rotary of Milwaukee.

Walz earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Tulane University and began his career as a process support engineer for Shell Oil Company. After earning a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, he began his academic career as an assistant professor at Tulane. He was then an associate professor and chair of the Chemical Engineering Department at Yale University; professor and head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech; and dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky.

Areas of Expertise

Colloid and Interface Science
Chemical Engineering
Research

Accomplishments

2019 CEO of the Year: Honorable Mention

Dr. John Walz received honorable mention for CEO of the Year in 2019 from the Milwaukee Business Journal for his exceptional leadership and influence on the community.

Exemplary Department Award

Virginia Tech, 2010

Arthur Greer Memorial Prize for Research

Yale University, 2005

Show All +

Affiliations

  • Clinical and Translational Science Institute : Board member
  • Wisconsin Technology Council : Board member
  • Higher Education Regional Alliance : Board member
  • National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities: Board Member

Social

Media Appearances

MSOE president John Walz works to make 'hidden gem' not so hidden

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  print

2023-05-17

Enrolling 2,729 students, the private downtown Milwaukee university often operates below the radar, but Walz hopes to change that by increasing enrollment, improving diversity and growing MSOE’s name.

View More

MSOE will build a $3 million softball stadium on its downtown campus. It's part of a larger effort to expand women's sports at the college.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  print

2022-04-08

“We are committed to offering our students opportunities and activities that support the development of their whole being, and that their collegiate experience goes beyond the classrooms and laboratories,” said John Walz, MSOE president.

View More

Milwaukee businesses sponsor STEM education outreach center at MSOE

Milwaukee Business Journal  online

2020-06-16

Initially, said MSOE president John Walz, the unfinished space had been tabbed for a commercial purpose, but the school did not find the right tenant. MSOE wanted to lease the spot to a tenant that would add to the university.

View More

Show All +