Marquette University engineering dean named Imprint Award winner by Professional Dimensions

MILWAUKEE — Dr. Kristina Ropella, Opus Dean of Marquette University’s Opus College of Engineering, has been named a 2023 Imprint Award winner by Professional Dimensions, a leading women’s professional association in the Milwaukee area. She will be recognized at the annual Imprint Award event on March 30, 2023, at the Pfister Hotel.

Professional Dimensions’ Imprint Award was created to recognize women who are making a lasting mark in their career, community and collaborations. Honorees are both successful and supportive and truly embody the well-rounded character trait.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by Professional Dimensions and to share this honor with JoAnne Sabir and many more outstanding recipients over time,” Ropella said. “The work I am able to lead at Marquette and in our community is made possible by countless colleagues, peers and partners who share in a collective vision to develop servant leaders and engineering innovators across Milwaukee.”

Ropella was chosen for her role as a higher education leader, dedicated educator, biomedical engineering researcher and board member. As a trailblazer in the engineering and higher education spaces, she was the first female engineering dean at Marquette and her personal mission is to change the face of engineering by opening doors for diverse representation and promoting servant leadership. She has accomplished this through her initiatives, which include the Excellence in Leadership (E-Lead) development program, as well as her research and publications.

“As Opus Dean of Marquette’s Opus College of Engineering, a dedicated educator, a biomedical engineering researcher, servant leader, board member, and champion of positive change within her communities and fields, Kris’ many imprints are far-reaching with deep impact,” one nominator wrote. “The power of her imprint is not solely in her professional success and through the initiatives she leads, but also in the nature of her leadership, (which) emanates from a deep care for the individuals around her as whole people, welcoming their unique gifts and abilities.

“Ultimately, she believes that empowering others to step beyond her footsteps to leave larger, lasting imprints of their own is much more important than any of her own personal prestige. As a servant leader, she measures her career success by the doors she opens for others.”

Ropella’s professional accolades include the KEEN Outstanding Dean Award, the STEM Forward Engineer of the Year, and both the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and Women of Influence awards. She was also named a U.S. Professor of the Year, Wisconsin by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support for Education.

About Professional Dimensions

Professional Dimensions creates opportunities for members to network, collaborate, learn and lead, inspiring women to reach for more in all aspects of their lives. The organization is intentionally inclusive across career experiences and personal identities, maximizing its ability to innovate and elevate those around them. Professional Dimensions challenges leaders to blaze trails in their companies and communities. Its driving ambition is to expand what is possible for women and the world they influence.

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.