Title: Assistant Professor
Company: Wayne State University
Location: Rochester Hills, Michigan, United States
Tommy E. White, Assistant Professor at Wayne State University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Higher Education.
Dr. White is a distinguished assistant professor whose career in education began in 1998 at Wayne State University in the college of engineering in 1998. His role encompasses teaching engineering courses and fostering an environment that breeds learning. Lauded for his passion and ability to engage students, Dr. White focuses on remaining at the forefront of the industry by studying new topics related to ensure ongoing success in the classroom.
Before pivoting into higher education, D. White was a senior engineering manager at Navistar Inc. from 2011 to 2012 and a staff research engineer at General Motors between 1984 and 2004. His expansive expertise in simulation and engineering management has been pivotal to his success and longevity in the industry.
Highly educated in his respective field, Dr. White received a bachelor’s degree at Wayne State University and at Lawrence Technological University in 1994. He also received a Master of Engineering in manufacturing engineering from Wayne State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1996, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in industrial and systems engineering from Oakland University in 2013.
Dr. White is active in his professional community as a member of the Engineering Society of Detroit and the National Black MBA Association. As a seasoned researcher and scholar, he has authored several articles in professional publications, such as Research Digest and Simulation Digest. Moreover, Dr. White’s expertise has led to the development of one of the first power-fold mirrors for the Pontiac Envoy in 1999 and the securing of 25 U.S. patents in his field.
During his tenure in engineering, Dr. White was among the early adopters at General Motors to serve as both a product engineer and a process engineer, notably holding both positions for the 1992 new product development on the CH product team, showcasing his versatility. Dr. White also successfully moved a manufacturing process that was predominantly completed in the fabricating plant to the assembly plant in Lake Orion, Michigan. This transition significantly improved the overall throughput of the new car line. Among other career accomplishments, Dr. White developed one of the first power-fold mirrors for the 1999 Pontiac Envoy, a feature that has since become widely used in the automotive industry.
In light of his success in the classroom, Dr. White was recognized twice with a Teacher of the Year Award by Wayne State University in 2008 and 2010. He also received recognition as a Distinguished Alumni by the university in 2025. Dr. White attributes his success to his perseverance and strong support system at home and work. He also notes having had the freedom to pursue his career goals early on, which was critical.
Dr. White aims to support small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies in the future, helping them become more competitive. Through his research in manufacturing and digital trends, he seeks to assist these organizations in enhancing their global competitiveness. Additionally, Dr. White intends to encourage and inspire others that achieving one’s goals is possible, regardless of upbringing. He believes success is attainable for anyone with enough determination and resilience.
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