When the Michigan Lean Consortium launched its Higher Education Bundle Program — designed to bring Lean learning directly into college classrooms and extend real-world professional development to students — Oakland University was among the first institutions to step forward. That early commitment says something about who they are.

Oakland University is a public doctoral research institution in Greater Metro Detroit serving nearly 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students, the largest university in Oakland County. But within OU, the Lean work lives in a specific and intentional place: the Pawley Lean Institute.

Founded in 2002 by Dennis Pawley, former Executive Vice President of Manufacturing at Chrysler, the Institute was built on a straightforward conviction: Lean thinking shouldn’t stay on the factory floor. It belongs in universities, nonprofits, government, and communities. Today, the Pawley Lean Institute operates as a genuinely interdisciplinary effort, woven across OU’s School of Education and Human Services, School of Engineering and Computer Science, and School of Business. Director Dennis Wade and Coordinator Dr. Laura Klein, Ph.D. lead an institute whose primary focus is student engagement, internships, scholarships, community service, training, and professional development, all grounded in Lean as a foundation.

A Long-Standing MLC Relationship

Dennis Wade’s connection to MLC goes back to 2014, making him one of the longer-tenured members of the network. Dr. Klein joined in 2025, bringing fresh academic and industry perspective to a relationship already built on years of engagement. Over that time, Oakland University has shown up as attendees, speakers, and sponsors at the MLC Annual Conference, as active contributors to the community.

Their decision to join the Higher Education Bundle Program extended that commitment into something more. Through the bundle, OU students gain access to MLC’s Virtual Coffees, workshops, and the opportunity to attend the Annual Conference at discounted student rates, and direct exposure to Lean practitioners and industry professionals across Michigan. It’s the kind of real-world access that a textbook can’t replicate.

Learning That Goes Both Directions

For the Pawley Lean Institute, MLC membership isn’t primarily about programming; it’s about connection. The Institute sees the network as a way to develop partnerships, share what’s happening in Lean education, and stay current with how Lean is being practiced across Michigan industries.

“The MLC has allowed OU to develop relationships and discussions with other members to assist in our mission of Lean education for Oakland University students.”

— Dennis Wade, Director, Pawley Lean Institute

Dr. Klein, who joined MLC more recently, brings her own perspective on what the membership unlocks:

“Joining MLC provides a unique opportunity for Oakland University to engage our faculty and students in Lean conversations across academia and industry and foster meaningful partnerships with Lean thinkers.”

— Dr. Laura Klein, Ph.D., Coordinator, Pawley Lean Institute

That word, conversation, matters. The Pawley Lean Institute was built on the belief that Lean belongs everywhere, and that the best learning happens when classrooms and industry stay in genuine dialogue.

We’re proud to have Oakland University and the Pawley Lean Institute as part of the MLC community, and excited to see what their students bring to the next generation of Lean practice in Michigan.

About Oakland University & the Pawley Lean Institute

Based in Rochester, Michigan • Pawley Lean Institute founded in 2002 • Interdisciplinary Lean education across business, engineering, and education

Website: oakland.edu/lean

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/pawley-lean-institute

Instagram: @ou_pawleyleaninstitute