Michele Fritz

About Me

Most of my career in industry was spent working in companies in the communications, computing, and medical device industries. While my expertise is in Management, I have held positions in Information Technology, Operations Management, Product Development and Marketing. The large firms I have worked at are GTE, Aspect Telecommunications, Data General, Johnson & Johnson, and American Cyanamid. I also have worked at small startup firms.

My teaching career started at San Francisco State University, where I taught the undergraduate capstone seminar course. But I have been at De Anza College for 20+ years. At De Anza, I am the Department Chair. (Yes, that means I know which classes will be offered next quarter!)

My research interests are in health and nutrition, as I follow a whole foods plant-based vegan diet. Since plants require so much less water, land, and resources and also sequester greenhouse gases, I feel that I am contributing to easing the Climate Crisis. Here's a very recent New York Times article on the environmental impacts of veganism: No One Wants to Say ‘Put Down That Burger,’ but We Really Should https://nyti.ms/3j5CbsO . I'm quite a foodie--so if you like to swap vegan recipes, we will have a lot to talk about! Please let me know how I can help if you are involved in any vegan business, activism, or activities on campus.

My family has always included some four-legged members (canine and feline). Some years ago, I served on the Board of Directors for the Humane Society Silicon Valley. Currently, I volunteer at Nine Lives Foundation. I hope you enjoy the travel and pet pictures on My Family page.

My family visited the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis in 2020. It was very moving and hopefully an impetus for change.