Dennis Livesay, Dave House Dean of Computing, has announced that Dan Fuhrmann, Dave House Professor of Computing, has been reappointed chair of the Michigan Tech Department of Applied Computing (AC).
“I value Dan’s work in this critical leadership role,” Livesay says. “He is dedicated to fostering an environment of growth and success in the Applied Computing department. I am confident that his exceptional leadership will guide the department to further success.”
“Dan brings a strong background to the AC chair position, which he has held since 2020 when the department was created, one year after the founding of the College of Computing,” Livesday adds. “His ability to collaborate and foster new initiatives have led to meaningful growth in both enrollment and research expenditures.”
“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with students and faculty to keep our momentum moving forward,” Fuhrmann says. “AC faculty are dedicated to advancing scholarship and helping students reach their full potential.”
Fuhrmann says the growth of the department is a key priority, noting that the unit is making excellent progress, particularly the graduate programs in Health Informatics and Mechatronics, and the undergraduate programs in Mechatronics and Cybersecurity.
A second priority is helping applied computing degree programs evolve to reflect the reality of what is happening in industry today. “I want very much for our students and our graduates to have the cross-disciplinary skill sets that will be in demand,” he says.
Fuhrmann arrived at Michigan Tech in 2008 to become chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, where he served until 2019. Fuhrmann is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). His research interests are in signal processing and communication.
The Department of Applied Computing offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Information Technology (formerly Computer Network and Systems Administration), Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Mechatronics, Master of Science programs in Health Informatics and Mechatronics, and many of its faculty support the interdisciplinary PhD program in Computational Science and Engineering. Several Applied Computing programs are offered jointly with other departments.