DeAnna Leitzke has been promoted to associate vice president of academic excellence at Milwaukee School of Engineering. In this role, Leitzke will work collaboratively with faculty and staff in academic units as well as administrators throughout the university to develop, facilitate and support innovative academic programs. In addition, she will oversee the CREATE (Community-focused Real-world Engagement in Academics Through Experiential-learning) Institute at MSOE. Leitzke established the CREATE Institute in 2018 and has most recently served as its director.

“We are happy to have DeAnna continue her great work with the CREATE Institute on campus and collaborate with members of the campus community to further other existing programs as well,” said Dr. Eric Baumgartner, executive vice president of academics. “Her experience and knowledge will help further these partnerships and initiatives and the overall strategic plan of MSOE.”

Leitzke earned her undergraduate degree in architectural engineering from MSOE and went on to earn her M.S. in Engineering Management from MSOE as well. She currently is pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service in Higher Education and continues to serve as an associate professor in MSOE’s Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Department. Prior to her work in the CREATE Institute, she was the Pieper Family Endowed Chair for Servant-Leadership. Leitzke has industrial experience as an architectural engineer with Reserve Advisors Inc. and as an architectural engineer with Affiliated Engineers.