Congratulations to Wilkistar Otieno on being named one of the 2022 Notable Women in Engineering by BizTimes Milwaukee. Honorees must be currently serving in a senior level role at their organization, must hold a leadership position in their industry outside of their own organization, have made a significant contribution to advancing workplace equality at their own workplace or beyond, and act as a role model or mentor.
Dr. Otieno is a department chair, researcher, associate professor of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering and co-director of the U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Assessment Center at UWM. She inspires the next generation of engineers and connects the college with members of industry, bridging the gap between academic research discoveries and real-world implementation.
Dr. Otieno partners with members of industry to understand their challenges and work to implement solutions based in research. She adopts applied automation and controls laboratories into her classes (IE 550 class), works with industry researchers, end users, subject matter experts and system integrators to directly shape relevant and forward-looking learning labs and curriculum. She is recognized by industry leaders for her ability to collaborate and share experiences learned across the academic system, and to appreciate the pace at which industry needs to adopt new technologies.
Dr. Otieno expands her research impact by partnering with local and regional businesses, said Michael Cook, director of global academic engagement for Rockwell Automation.
“Dr. Otieno has continually worked with industry to engage in a true partnering fashion, including a sabbatical in industry, adopting applied automation and controls laboratories into her classes, working with industry researchers, end users, subject matter experts and system integrators to directly shape relevant and forward-looking learning labs and curriculum,” Cook said.
She is beloved by students and faculty alike because of her enthusiasm and knowledge of the field of industrial and manufacturing engineering, her warm and generous nature, and her ability to inspire and support students of all backgrounds.
Her inspiration extends well beyond the classroom as she advises numerous STEM-focused student organizations on campus including the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) and the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi.
Dr. Otieno is also a champion for diversity and inclusion and works locally to advance STEM opportunities for underrepresented students at UWM through two programs funded by the National Science Foundation: Preparing Engineering and Computer Scientists (PECS) and WiscAMP.
We are proud of Dr. Otieno and all she does to make a difference with our students, our college, our city and beyond. Please join us in congratulating her on this recognition.
More about Dr. Otieno here. See a full list of honorees here, including UWM Civil Engineering alums Lori Rosenthal and Kristi Linsmeier.