Dr. John C. Dugger, Ph.D. - Affiliate Director

Dr. John C. Dugger is the Affiliate Director for Project Lead the Way Michigan.  He also serves as a professor in the School of Technology Studies at Eastern Michigan University and Director of the Doctoral program for the College of Technology.  Dr. Dugger has secured and managed more than $1,000,000 in grants and has authored more than 40 publications in juried journals.  His scholarly interests include assessing the impacts of training and technology interventions in organizations. He has more than 28 years of experience as a faculty member and administrator in higher education and six years in secondary education.  He has also worked in the construction supply chain industry and as a consultant for public and private sector organizations.

Dr. Dugger states that, “there is no program that has been as thoughtfully assembled to meet this country’s current needs.  With the periodic updating of curriculum, the integration of assessment at the course level, the possibility of college credit in the high school courses, along with the unquestioned rigor of the program, Project Lead the Way should be considered as an offering in every secondary program in the United States.”

Phone: 734-487-1832
Email: jdugger@emich.edu

Dr. Paul Kuwik, Ph.D. - State Director

Dr. Paul Kuwik is the State Director for Project Lead the Way – Michigan.  He also serves as an emeritus professor and administrator in the College of Technology at Eastern Michigan.  Dr. Kuwik has served the educational community for over twenty-five years, serving as an academic department head and director of centers and institutes with the College of Technology.  His involvement began with the establishment of Eastern Michigan University as the state affiliate for Project Lead the Way.  He currently directs the statewide outreach to business, industrial, and school district communities for Project Lead the Way Michigan.  Dr. Kuwik has also managed over three million dollars in grants and contracts during his tenure.

According to Dr. Kuwik, “This premier STEM initiator provides the rigorous professional development, program review, student assessment, and availability of higher education credit which parents and school districts demand.”

Phone: 734-487-1165
Email: paul.kuwik@emich.edu

Mr. Al Tessmer, M.A. - Field Representative

Mr. Al Tessmer is a veteran K-12 Science and Technology educator.  His current position as Field Certification Coordinator for Project Lead the Way Michigan combines his passion for technology and science education with his experience working as a proponent of educational change in the private sector.  Mr. Tessmer’s accomplishments include: appointment as a guest “Teacher in Space” trainee with the Soviet Union, as well as educational awards from the Ann Arbor School District and the State of Michigan.  Mr. Tessmer has been a guest lecturer at Bowling Green University, Michigan State University, and Michigan Tech University.  Mr. Al Tessmer also serves as a lecturer at Eastern Michigan University, College of Technology.

According to Mr. Al Tessmer, “Project Lead the Way is a proven tool in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology education with its unique integrated curriculum, intensive teacher training, academic rigor, established accountability standards, testing, and review procedures.” 

Phone: 313-682-7848
Email: atessmer@emich.edu