Leadership at Walsh

Officers

Thomas Petz, MSIA, CISSP

Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Tom Petz manages and integrates key operational areas within the college. Tom leads informational technology, marketing, enrollment, financial aid and data analytics and reporting. His emphasis is on the innovative use of technology to enhance the higher education experience. He is highly skilled at identifying and then implementing technology systems and solutions to optimize success across critical operational areas. Petz is an expert practitioner with PHP, Python, SQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and AJAX technologies and brings more than 20 years of field and leadership experience to his role as chief information officer (CIO).

Most recently as CIO, Petz was the chief architect of Walsh’s connected classrooms. He also leads the DREAM Team and EPIC Center, which focus on long-term technology advances and immersive learning innovation at the College. Previously, Petz was an assistant professor of IT/decision sciences and marketing at Walsh. In 2015, he was named Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year by the Alliance for Excellence in Online Education. He still teaches programming and cybersecurity courses in our IT programs in an adjunct role

Petz holds a bachelor of science from Wayne State University and a master of science from Walsh.

Dave Schippers,
Sc.D., CISSP,

Vice President and Chief Academic Officer/Academic Dean

Dr. Dave Schippers brings decades of industry experience in information technology, cybersecurity, and project management to Walsh. In industry, he has worked on large core system designs, quality assurance testing and system implementations, impacting regional, national and international business operations nearing a billion dollars.

From a technology support perspective, Dr. Schippers has been responsible for technology operations team, ensuring system operations in environments responsible for over $300 million in sales. As a technology leader, he directed a technology group and security operations, supporting 25 sites, three operations and thousands of users in a technologically diverse infrastructure.

In academia, Dr. Schippers has published research on information technology and operational technology convergence in Industry 4.0.  He designed and created the first automotive cybersecurity degree concentration.  He helped develop and pilot the first Automotive Cybersecurity Training program for the global automotive industry.  Dr. Schippers is also a frequent speaker on cybersecurity trends at regional, national and global conferences.

Ryan Robinet,
M.A., CFRE,

Vice President, Chief Advancement and Alumni Relations Officer

Ryan Robinet leads advancement and alumni relations for Walsh College.  An experienced fundraising professional, Ryan came from Trine University, where he most recently served as their Associate Vice President of University Advancement.  Prior to Trine, he was the Director of Philanthropy and Strategic Fundraising Initiatives at Albion College, and before Albion, Ryan worked as the Director of Onsite Programs at Wilson-Bennet Technology, Inc.

He holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Siena Heights University, a Master’s in Philanthropy and Development from LaGrange College, and he is a Certified Fund Raising Executive through CFRE International.

Suzanne (Suzy)
Siegle, Ed.D., J.D.

President, Chief Executive Officer

Suzy Siegle was appointed Walsh’s interim president and CEO in April 2022 and later president in August 2022. She came to Walsh College in 2020, first serving as the Executive Vice President and Provost, and then as Chief Operating Officer.

Dr. Siegle’s academic and professional background blends her passions for business, law, and higher education, specifically focusing on the value and importance of business and technology education in today’s world.

A licensed attorney, Dr. Siegle has experience in business law, real estate, technology transfer, intellectual property, higher education law, risk management, Title IX compliance, and corporate insurance. She has also counseled numerous startups and small businesses on a broad range of legal matters.

Prior to joining Walsh in 2020, Dr. Siegle served as the Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs and Operations, Campus Dean for the Haab School of Business, and Professor of Business and Leadership at Concordia University Ann Arbor.

Dr. Siegle holds a doctorate in higher education leadership and management from Regent University, where her dissertation focused on alternative and innovative operating models for higher education in the 21st century. She earned her juris doctor from Ave Maria School of Law, an MBA from Western Governor’s University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.