May 28, 2009
Baltimore, MD – ABET announced today the selection of Michael K. J. Milligan, Ph.D., P.E., as its third Executive Director, effective June 1, 2009. Following a five-month global search that attracted nearly 120 applicants, the ABET Board of Directors chose Dr. Milligan to lead ABET, the accreditor of postsecondary applied science, computing, engineering, and technology programs worldwide.
ABET’s President Joseph L. Sussman, Ph.D., cites Dr. Milligan’s commitment to education, success in managing complex projects, and expertise in leading diverse groups as pivotal factors in the Board’s decision. "Michael has the leadership qualities and acumen to promote ABET’s growth worldwide," Dr. Sussman says. "Exceptionally intelligent yet easily approachable, he’s an award winning operating manager, but equally skilled at motivating disparate groups to perform successfully together. He’s a lifelong learner who has invested considerable time educating others. Michael has also volunteered as an ABET program evaluator and is a senior member of IEEE, one of our founding societies."
Dr. Milligan most recently led an Aerospace Corporation team of scientists, engineers, and support staff assisting in the development of an environmental satellite for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. From 2003-2006, he acted as Chief Scientist for an international research program involving radio frequency technology, space weather, and superconductivity for the U.S. Air Force (USAF), visiting universities and research institutes in more than 30 countries.
For four years prior, Dr. Milligan served as the Deputy Department Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he developed, directed, and taught advanced electrical and computer engineering courses and was a senior member of the ABET accreditation team.
"I consider now the most important time for an innovative, accountable accreditor to partner with its stakeholders to ensure the quality of technical education globally," says Dr. Milligan. "This will not only positively impact the ABET professions — applied science, computing, engineering and technology — but society as a whole. Some countries are producing vast numbers of graduates in the technical disciplines, but in some cases, these graduates lack the basics to succeed. That is where accreditation fits in — it ensures that students are acquiring the technical and professional skills necessary to practice their profession."
Dr. Milligan sees the opportunity to lead ABET as a fitting next step along his career path. "In great part, I credit my career achievements to the quality of the education I have received," he says. "It is my good fortune to now lead the very organization that ensured the quality of my undergraduate program, as well as the ones I taught at the Air Force Academy. They were all ABET-accredited."
Dr. Milligan earned a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin, an MSE from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and a BS from Michigan State University — all in electrical engineering. He also has an MBA from Western New England College and completed the USAF’s Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Officer Professional Military Leadership Schools. Dr. Milligan is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado.
About ABET
ABET, the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology, is a federation of 31 professional and technical societies representing these fields. Among the most respected accreditation organizations in the U.S., ABET has provided leadership and quality assurance in higher education for more than 75 years.
ABET currently accredits over 3,100 programs at more than 600 colleges and universities worldwide. More than 2,000 dedicated volunteers participate annually in ABET activities. ABET also provides leadership internationally through workshops, memoranda of understanding, and mutual recognition agreements, such as the Washington Accord. ABET is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.