Take Five with DAC Chair Michael J. Cadigan
Published November 18, 2025
Michael Cadigan (BS’ 79) is chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC) and has served as a member since 1999. A recently retired Global Foundries executive, the SEAS alum brought decades of industry insight to the role.
1. Tell us about your role at GlobalFoundries?
I joined the Global Foundries executive team in 2015 after they acquired IBM’s microelectronics semiconductor business, which I led. I had numerous positions, including worldwide head of sales, worldwide quality management and interfacing with governments worldwide in government affairs. It was an exciting time as the world was becoming more aware of the importance of semiconductors. I really enjoyed engaging with customers and demonstrating the different technologies that Global Foundries produced.
2. What are some of the real-world applications of your work with microelectronics?
The applications created by Global Foundries enable many everyday technologies. If you think about driving in your car, semiconductors provide capabilities around safety including self-breaking, lane awareness, detection of adjacent cars, radar and more. Without these safety capabilities, you can only imagine that the dynamics of safety and injury prevention would not be where they are today. Also, if you have a smartphone, I bet you it has chips from Global Foundries.
3. How did you get started with the Dean’s Advisory Council?
I am proud to say I am the longest standing member of the DAC. While at IBM, I became involved with the university as a recruiter and then, eventually, joined the advisory council. From there I moved into becoming the chair of the advisory council. It has been rewarding to see the engagement between the DAC and university leadership.
4. How has the DAC evolved since you joined in 1999?
After Kemper Lewis became dean of SEAS, I suggested the council pivot from listening and providing commentary to an approach where the dean lays out his key initiatives and the DAC participates in strategically enabling those initiatives. Now, the DAC divides into different workstreams that focus on each initiative.
5. What accomplishment from your time on the DAC are you most proud of?
I have two that I am especially proud of: helping secure state approval for Davis Hall through the DAC’s advocacy and, more recently, supporting the new Agrusa Hall, named after DAC member and major donor, Russell L. Agrusa. The council also funded a conference room for the new building, reflecting the team’s commitment to lasting impact and engagement with the university.