Eriez® proudly announces that Michael (Mike) J. Mankosa, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Global Technology at Eriez, has been inducted into Virginia Tech’s Academy of Engineering Excellence. This esteemed recognition honors alumni whose careers have been defined by exceptional innovation and leadership, creating a lasting impact on the engineering profession.
Mankosa is one of only five graduates selected for the Academy’s 2025 class, joining a distinguished group of fewer than 200 inductees out of more than 82,000 living alums from Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering. The Academy, established in 1999, is one of the school’s most prestigious distinctions.
A three-time graduate of Virginia Tech (B.S. 1984, M.S. 1986, Ph.D. 1990, all in Mining and Minerals Engineering), Mankosa has dedicated his career to advancing the science and technology of minerals processing. He holds 70 U.S. and international patents, has authored 115 articles in scientific and technical journals, and has secured over $2 million in research funding. Under his leadership, Eriez has remained at the forefront of innovation in advanced separation technologies.
“Receiving one of the highest honors from my alma mater is incredibly meaningful,” said Mankosa. “Virginia Tech offered the education and research environment that launched my professional path, and I’m proud to have built my career on that foundation.”
Jaisen Kohmuench, President and CEO of Eriez, said, “Mike’s passion for innovation and steadfast commitment to engineering excellence have not only helped to drive Eriez’ success, but also inspired countless colleagues and helped shape the broader mining industry. As a fellow Virginia Tech graduate, I couldn’t be more excited to see the university recognize Mike’s extraordinary contributions to the engineering field.”
This year’s Virginia Tech Academy of Engineering Excellence inductees include:
- Maria A. Bothwell of Alexandria, Virginia
- Thomas (Ted) Hume of Haymarket, Virginia
- Navin Manjooran of Windermere, Florida
- Michael J. Mankosa of Erie, Pennsylvania
- Roshan Sabapathypillai Roeder of Highland, Maryland
For more information about Virginia Tech’s Academy of Engineering Excellence, visit https://news.vt.edu.