Kelly Ottman, Ph.D. and David Howell, Ph.D. will lead faculty development efforts at MSOE as part of the university’s new CREATE Institute. In their two-year terms as associate co-directors of faculty development, they will develop and manage faculty onboarding programs, develop a faculty development workshop series, and help MSOE faculty leverage industry partnerships to effectively use real-world experiential learning in their classrooms and laboratories. 

“Supporting our faculty and bringing even more real-world experiences into our curriculum is a major focus of MSOE’s strategic plan. The work of Drs. Ottman and Howell, our associate co-directors of faculty development, will help us achieve the bold outcomes articulated in our strategic plan,” said Dr. Eric Baumgartner, vice president of academics.  

The CREATE (Community-focused Real-world Engagement in Academics Through Experiential-learning) Institute was established to foster the MSOE Mindset, which blends MSOE’s mission, vision and commitments with elements related to the Servant-Leader Mindset and the Entrepreneurial Mindset. The CREATE Institute ensures students receive well-rounded, high-impact educational experiences that enhance the relevancy of their learning. It is a campus resource for industry engagement and academic excellence, and focuses on faculty, student and community programming to ensure that all MSOE graduates embody the MSOE Mindset.

“Kelly and Dave are dynamic educators with years of teaching and industry experience,” said DeAnna Leitzke, P.E., director of the CREATE Institute. “Their enthusiasm is contagious and they are going to be a great resource for MSOE faculty.”  

Ottman is a professor in MSOE’s Rader School of Business. She has a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation; a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration-Heath Service Administration; and a Ph.D. in Adult Education with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. After a successful career in the health care industry, Ottman left her role as a vice president to teach full time. She came to MSOE in 2007, and continued to consult with businesses worldwide.  

Howell is a CREATE Faculty Fellow and a professor in the Humanities, Social Science and Communication Department. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in English, and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies. He began his career as an instructional designer and technical writer for Microsoft, helping the company develop an advertising engine. After eight years in industry, he turned to teaching full time. Howell joined the MSOE faculty in 2003, and has held a number of roles beyond teaching including interim vice president of student life, dean of students and chair for servant-leadership.