Krista Wigginton named associate dean for graduate and professional education
At a time when engineering careers are evolving, Wigginton aims to shape graduate education to foster students who can think critically and creatively.
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Krista Wigginton
Wigginton aims to foster critical thinking and creativity in graduate education to meet the evolving needs of students and their future roles in the engineering field.
The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the appointment of Krista Wigginton as associate dean for graduate and professional education at Michigan Engineering, effective October 1, 2024.
Wigginton is also a professor of civil and environmental engineering (CEE) and previously served as associate department chair of graduate programs in that department.
As associate dean for graduate and professional education, Wigginton will be responsible for overseeing and setting the strategy for graduate academics as well as professional and online programs.
Since joining the University of Michigan faculty in 2011, Wigginton has significantly advanced CEE’s graduate programs by pioneering the development of new master’s degrees, leading efforts to streamline the recruitment process to attract a diverse and talented candidate pool, and clarifying requirements and milestones to make the program easier to navigate for both students and advisors.
One of Wigginton’s key priorities as associate dean will be to help programs modernize their curricula by integrating new technologies and methodologies and by fostering creativity in how students approach problem-solving.
“This role provides an exciting opportunity to shape graduate education as the demands on engineering careers are evolving,” said Wigginton. “As the world becomes more interconnected and complex, it’s essential that we equip students not only with technical mastery but also with the ability to think creatively, collaborate across disciplines, and communicate effectively—all while being socially conscious leaders who understand the broader impact of their work on society.”
Wigginton also aims to identify and share best practices in graduate student recruitment and advising across the College. She will continue the initiatives of her predecessor Lola Eniola-Adefeso, who has been appointed as dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois-Chicago, in fostering a graduate environment that appreciates diverse backgrounds and problem-solving approaches.
“Creating a welcoming and supportive community for all students is crucial to empowering them to contribute meaningfully and thrive,” said Wigginton.
“Creating a welcoming and supportive community for all students is crucial to empowering them to contribute meaningfully and thrive,” said Wigginton.
Krista Wigginton, Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Education
Wigginton’s research focuses on the presence and behavior of pathogens in the environment, with an emphasis on innovative detection methods and understanding how pathogens are mitigated in natural and engineered systems. Her work has been instrumental in the development and implementation of wastewater monitoring systems used to track the prevalence of COVID-19 in a community. She has been honored with several awards, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award and the Water Research Foundation’s Paul L. Busch Award.
“Krista’s forward-thinking approach to graduate education and her ability to lead successful, collaborative teams make her an excellent fit for this role,” said Karen A. Thole, Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering. “I look forward to working with her to equip our graduate students to tackle the challenges we face today and in the future.”
The initial draft of this story was generated by U-M GPT and then revised and validated by human editors.