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Lisa A. Zidek, Ph.D., is the Dean of Engineering at Anderson University (SC), a role she has held since 2023. She is committed to undergraduate engineering education, student-centered leadership, and preparing students for meaningful professional practice. Dr. Zidek holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering Health Care Management from the University of Wisconsin, as well as an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Marquette University.
Dr. Zidek is an ABET Program Evaluator, has served as Vice Presiden
BS, Industrial Engineering
MS, Industrial Engineering
MS, Mechanical Engineering
PhD, Industrial Engineering,
Students would describe my classes as rigorous, hands-on engineering learning experiences where students are expected to think like emerging professionals, not just complete assignments. The classes combine technical problem-solving with inquiry-based learning, clear communication, ethical reasoning, and real-world decision-making. Students learn to support claims with evidence, use professional tools and frameworks, and connect engineering work to stewardship, responsibility, service, and purpose. The environment is structured and challenging, but also supportive and hospitable, with a clear emphasis on helping students grow in confidence, competence, character, and readiness for professional engineering practice.
I teach at Anderson University because AU reflects the kind of higher education I believe in. My experience in both private and public higher education has helped me appreciate how unique it is to be part of an institution with a clear Christian identity, a genuine commitment to undergraduate education, and a willingness to be bold in pursuing its mission. At AU, I have the opportunity to teach and mentor students in a way that connects academic preparation with faith, purpose, and service. I value being part of a community that sees students as whole people, invests deeply in their growth, and encourages faculty and students alike to think creatively about how their work can make a difference. AU is a place where innovation and mission are not separate—they work together—and that is why I am grateful to teach here.
I wish prospective students knew that engineering is not as narrow or intimidating as many people think. Engineering is really about learning how to solve problems that matter. It shapes almost every part of everyday life: the roads we travel, the power we use, the phones in our hands, the medical care we receive, the products we buy, and the systems that keep communities and organizations functioning. I also wish students understood how many different paths an engineering degree can open. Engineers can work in design, manufacturing, healthcare, business, research, consulting, entrepreneurship, public service, and leadership. Some engineers spend their days designing products, others improving systems, analyzing data, managing projects, serving customers, or making organizations work better. At its core, engineering is a discipline for people who are curious about how things work, willing to wrestle with complex problems, and interested in creating practical solutions that improve people’s lives.
Systems-Based Value Creation in Healthcare and Engineering Education including
Healthcare Systems Management
Systems Thinking & Industrial Engineering Problem Solving
Engineering Pedagogy & Professional Formation
Entrepreneurial Mindset Learning
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