As the first Executive Director of the ODU Center for Mission Engineering (CME), it is my honor to introduce our new interdisciplinary Applied Research Center, established in January 2024. The CME is dedicated to advancing mission-based thinking and engineering, recognized by both Virginia and ODU as crucial for the success of the Department of Defense and our allies.

This new Center is deeply personal for me – it’s driven by my passion for advancing strategic solutions that make a tangible impact. I’ve worked with multiple organizations and entities throughout my professional career, and I often saw the need for an organization dedicated to advancing mission-based thinking and engineering. I heard the call to serve, and now I’m answering it.

My background as a Senior Executive in the Joint Staff and an acquisition professional for the Marine Corps has prepared me to lead CME in its mission to revolutionize how we approach complex systems and mission outcomes. At CME, we’re focused on:

• Developing mission-centric capability management tools
• Creating transformative models and simulations
• Building dynamic decision support systems for mission readiness
• Cultivating a skilled workforce in mission engineering 

That’s not all – our vision extends beyond military applications. We believe mission engineering can provide a competitive advantage across government, industry, and international partnerships. This new way of thinking is, to me, more adaptable than the traditional, requirement-based approach to capability development. Through the CME, we’re building an open, unbiased professional research environment where faculty, students, facilities, and cutting-edge tools can support your team, stakeholders, sponsors, and students every step of the way.

I’m thrilled to be here as we take the next steps toward advancing mission engineering capabilities. I look forward to collaborating with you to develop innovative solutions that drive real impact.

Dr. Thomas Irwin

MISSION FIRST, PEOPLE ALWAYS!