Andrea (Walvatne) Falasco

Andrea (Walvatne) Falasco ‘12 is a lead mechanical engineer at Kimberly-Clark, where she leads the equipment installs for a tissue making line at the experimental mill for a new process, and designs components and systems for the line to meet goals, efficiencies, and safety requirements. 

Falasco earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 2012. She went on to the Milwaukee School of Engineering where she earned a Master of Science in Engineering Management, as well as certificates in project management and innovation and entrepreneurship. 

During her time at Michigan Tech, Falasco created her own unique educational path outside of the typical engineering course load. In addition to her mechanical engineering degree, Falasco earned minors in both Spanish and visual art (she even worked in the ceramics lab and won the art award in 2012). “For me,” she said, “engineering was the combination of math, science, and art.” For her senior design project, Falasco chose to go international with the civil and environmental engineering program—she traveled to Panama for two weeks and hiked through the rain forest to take measurements from a waterfall to later design a hydroelectric system for a community that wanted power. 

Falasco also expanded her horizons outside of class. She was a member of the Pep Band and Wind Symphony, where she met her husband, and even performed on the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy radio show one semester. She was also involved in a variety of student organizations, including the Society of Women Engineers, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Engineers Without Borders. She remembers making the most out of her time as a student, spending time exploring the area, playing broomball, serving as an orientation team leader, and making valuable friendships that she still has today.

After graduation, Falasco started her career with a year-long co-op at Kohler in the Global Maintenance and Engines groups, where she gained valuable experience and discovered a likeness for working with people and manufacturing. She began as an industrial engineer at Oshkosh Defense in 2014 and was promoted to a senior industrial engineer in 2018. Falasco’s roles at Oshkosh were focused on project management, driving efficiency, and management. She led the movement of an assembly line to a different plant, which went so smoothly that targets were made almost immediately upon the move. In 2021, Falasco transitioned to her current role as lead mechanical engineer at Kimberly-Clark. 

“Michigan Tech and my internships prepared me the best they could,” said Falasco, “by teaching me problem solving skills, preparing me for how to talk to people, giving me leadership skills which allowed me to lead projects, and providing me with opportunities to see the real world.”

In addition to her work, Falasco is a member of the professional section of the Wisconsin Society of Women Engineers, where she won the WE Local New Emerging Leader in Technology and Engineering Award in 2023, and has served as president, vice president, and society liaison, along with other roles. In addition, she started an annual professional development day that is held each spring around Wisconsin. She has also been an active volunteer with Mission Church in Appleton and Junior Achievement of Wisconsin.

Falasco currently lives in Plover, Wisconsin, with her husband Kris ‘13 and their two sons, ages four and two. She enjoys making art, reading, hiking, traveling, and designing and working on house projects. The family tries to visit Houghton once a year and enjoys passing down Michigan Tech memories to their children.

Falasco encourages all Michigan Tech students to make the most of it. “This is the time of your life when you have so many opportunities and potential,” she said. “Engineering is not easy, but with it, you can do anything.”

In recognition of her distinguished career and achievements at a young age, Michigan Tech selected Falasco as its Outstanding Young Alumni Award winner in 2024.

Updated May 2024