Philadelphia University

 

Academic Dean, School of Design & Engineering

 

We are pleased to announce that the Philadelphia University has appointed Michael Leonard as the new Academic Dean of the School of Design and Engineering, effective July 1, 2012.

 

Leonard is currently the Interim Academic Dean of the School of Design and Engineering at Philadelphia University.  A member of the faculty of Philadelphia University since September 1998, he became Associate Professor of Industrial Design in 2008.  In addition to his teaching at Philadelphia University, Professor Leonard has also taught at Drexel University, the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and the University of the Arts.

 

“Professor Leonard’s background is exceptionally well-suited to advancing active, collaborative, and trans-disciplinary learning,” said Randy Swearer, Philadelphia University’s provost.  “With his focus on the education of professionals, online delivery methods, and project-based learning, we look forward to his continuing introduction of innovative instructional methods, and we congratulate him on his promotion to this important new leadership position at Philadelphia University.”

 

Leonard earned his B.S. in Industrial Design with honors at Philadelphia College of Art and his M.A. in E-Education from the University of Phoenix, where his capstone focus was a comparative analysis of online delivery methods and courseware for nontraditional content.  His ongoing doctoral program concentration at Capella University is reusable learning objects and their impact upon project-based learning outcomes in post-secondary design education.  Professor Leonard is also a design practitioner whose distinguished career includes serving as Manager, Advanced Product Design at Exxon Office Systems.  He established his own practice, The Design Works, in 1982, was Owner and Principal Designer of Designship, 1987 – 2002, Partner in Duzeo Product Design, 2002-2006, and currently is Principal Designer of Mike Leonard, Designer.  His clients include Tyco Electronics, Air Products and Chemicals, and Abbott Diagnostics Laboratories (in collaboration with Design Science).

 

His innovative approaches to teaching and his experience as a design practitioner will continue to benefit the design and engineering students at Philadelphia University.  He and Sue Lehrman, Academic Dean of the School of Business Administration, will continue to collaborate under the leadership of Ronald Kander, Executive Dean of the College of Design, Engineering, and Commerce.  “Having Mike as a member of the college leadership team, first in his interim role and now in his permanent role, is a huge benefit for the college and our collective path forward.  Mike’s ideas and leadership style will complement the team and will help move the college forward at an ever increasing pace,” said Ron Kander.

 

Philadelphia University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, and specifically invites and encourages women and minorities to apply.