“We are delighted that Dr. Kuleck will be joining us as our new Provost,” said Oregon Tech president Nagi Naganathan. “He brings a diverse portfolio of academic, strategic planning, and research experience across engineering, science, and the health professions that is a great fit for Oregon Tech’s current and future programming. Dr. Kuleck understands well the polytechnic experience, faculty excellence initiatives, and what students need in terms of professional practice and engaged learning. He will be a wonderful addition to Oregon Tech’s academic and administrative leadership and we look forward to welcoming him in July.”
Kuleck has been the Dean of the College of Engineering and Science, and a professor of Biology, at the University of Detroit Mercy since 2012. There he developed strategic initiatives, including infrastructural improvement in the College, creating innovative lab space for research and exploration, worked with faculty to raise external funding, created a student research symposium, improved the co-op experience for students, started new academic programs, raised funds for labs and initiatives, and expanded the university’s profile, among other accomplishments. Prior to his deanship at UDM, Dr. Kuleck was Associate Dean for Research and External Initiatives at College of Science & Engineering, Loyola Marymount University from 2009-2011. He was Professor of Biology at Loyola Marymount University from 1994-2012. He was a Program Director at LMU in the HHMI Science Education Alliance SEA PHAGES Program from 2010-2012; was a visiting Professor, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China in 2008; was the McLaughlin Chair, Biology, Loyola Marymount University from 2000-2003; was an Agricultural Research Service Fellow, USDA, from 1991-1993; was an Instructor, part time, College of General Studies, University of Pennsylvania from 1987-1990; and worked on a National Institutes of Health, Training Grant from 1981-1986.
Dr. Kuleck said, “I’m very excited about joining Oregon Tech as Provost. The university is at a unique point in its history where there are many opportunities to take it to the next level of excellence academically and in its many partnerships with the larger community including our employers. I look forward to joining Oregon Tech and President Naganathan to accelerate our success.”
Kuleck received a BA in chemistry and a BA in Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania in Genetics.
“My thanks go out to the Search Committee under the leadership of chair Dr. Dan Peterson for all of the hard work that they did over the last several months to ensure that we brought in a highly talented new provost,” said Dr. Naganathan.
