CASA dean finalists
Andrea Zimmermann
Daily Egyptian
azimmermann@dailyegyptian.com
Name: Thomas Hassell.
Current position: I am a tenured full professor in the College of Health Professions at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz.
What do you feel you bring to the table that sets you apart from the other candidates?: To the health sciences arena, I bring my many years of health-related teaching, scientific research and patient treatment. To the Aviation Departments, I bring 25 years of being a serious pilot, with 1,500 hours logged. To the architectural milieu, I bring my passion for architecture and design and my experience in personally designing and building two homes. To those disciplines in which I have not had direct experience, like automotive technology, I bring the fact that I am a "quick study," and I believe that I can rapidly absorb the knowledge base necessary to effectively represent all CASA departments in the Deans' Council. Having worked in the corporate sector as a research director and in marketing, I also bring good knowledge of industry, including the mechanisms required for garnering R & D funding for CASA projects.
If selected, what kind of changes would you like to see at CASA?: A bit speculative at this early juncture, of course, but increased emphasis on graduate education, molding and shaping the soon-to-be re-structured college, identifying appropriate sources for extramural funding for most departments, putting faculty development on the front burner, identifying any weaknesses in the CASA undergraduate offerings and strengthening them!
Additional comments: I believe that SIU in general and CASA in particular are poised for growth and greatness. With fresh leadership at virtually all levels (president, chancellor, provost, deans), an infusion of new energies and ideas can only lead to progress and a myriad of improvements. During my on-campus interviews, I detected solid "buy-in" for change and improvements on the part of faculty, staff and students. All participants and stakeholders will be able to claim ownership as SIU and CASA move forward with excitement.
Name: Mary Sumner
Current position: Associate dean, School of Business and professor of computer management and information systems
What do you feel you bring to the table that sets you apart from the other candidates?: Strengths and potential contributions:
* By building partnerships with the business community, the College of Applied Sciences and Arts can provide high-quality academic programs that continue to be responsive to industry needs. The school's commitment to applied research, internship and clinical opportunities, and teaching excellence all serve to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of its academic programs.
* I can offer experience in academic program development, fund-raising and the development of business/university partnerships.
* I have a commitment to shared governance and to enhancing applied research opportunities which lead to funding through joint industry projects and external grants.
* Some of my recent accomplishments include the Construction Leadership Institute, the High-Tech Institute and the Advanced Technology Training Center.
If selected, what kind of changes would you like to see at CASA?: I am excited about the future opportunities of CASA, and I would look forward to working with a team of faculty, students, staff and industry partners to achieve the goals and objectives which have been identified in the "Southern at 150" strategic plan.
Name: Paul Sarvela
Current position: Professor and interim dean, College of Applied Sciences and Arts, SIUC
What do you feel you bring to the table that sets you apart from the other candidates? Experience. Having served as interim dean for almost two years, and chair of the Department of Health Care Professions in the college for three years, I have a comprehensive picture of this complex and diverse college and fully understand that challenges we will be facing in the next few years. With 450 employees, almost 3,000 students enrolled in 19 different courses of study and off-campus programs at 19 sites throughout the United States, this college is certainly one of the most organizationally complex on our campus. I also have a team approach to solving problems and achieving objectives, and this approach has been successful. The quality of our educational programs continues to be outstanding, our research productivity, as well as proposal development for external funds, has increased significantly, and we are engaged in important community service activities that are making a difference to the people of Southern Illinois. Finally, I have a good sense of humor, which I believe is essential in this job and any job.
If selected, what kind of changes would you like to see at CASA? Through a consultative strategic planning process we began last year that involved input from faculty, staff and students, we already have set the course for the college, in line with Chancellor Wendler's Southern at 150 initiatives.
I think we should look for continued excellence in undergraduate education; the development of new masters programs; increased research and creative activity with renewed emphasis on external funding; continued involvement in significant community service; and, increased fund-raising activities.
I am proud of the recent hires we have made, as well as curriculum discussions we have held regarding the possible requirements for a foreign language for our students, which we believe is a great way for students to appreciate people from other cultures. For example, we would like our health care students to have a working knowledge of Spanish because of the growing Hispanic population in the United States. Our architects and designers would benefit from German or French, and we already are seeing job ads that show preference for automotive technologists who have a working knowledge of French or Spanish. Incidentally, in my regular "lunch with the dean" conversations with CASA students, we have found that our students are strong supporters of foreign languages as a part of our curricula, because they understand the demographic shifts in this country as well as the globalization of our workforce.
Additional comments: We have a great tradition, an outstanding faculty and staff, a fine student body and an excellent alumni group. Because many of our programs are nationally ranked, our graduates are in demand by employees throughout the state, as well as the nation. You will find our graduates at the major airlines and aerospace firms, providing IT and electronics support for a wide variety of companies, the big three automakers, hospitals and health-care facilities, large and small, and architecture and design firms throughout the country. Our research and creative activities are growing in importance and impact, and we provide important services to the community. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as interim dean. I have enjoyed working with my colleagues in this capacity, and hope that I will receive the nod from them for the permanent position.
Name: Charles A. Pinder
Current Position: For the past nine years, I have served as chair of the Department of Technology at Northern Kentucky University.
What do you feel you bring to the table that sets you apart from the other candidates? The strengths I bring have been acquired from a productive career as a technology education scholar, chair of a comprehensive department of technology, the founding director of a Governor's School of Technology and director of graduate programs in technology at two doctoral/research universities.
My teaching skills as a professor of technology have resulted in outstanding teaching and research awards from West Virginia University, Virginia Tech Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity and the Virginia Technology Education Association. I hold a Ph.D. in Industrial [Technology] Education from the University of Maryland, and I completed postdoctoral study in Design Technology at British School Technology-Trent, Trent Polytechnic in Nottingham, England. I served as the major advisor for eight successful doctoral graduates who have emerged as leaders in the fields of technology education and organizational leadership.
I have extensive experience in strategic planning, resource allocation and reallocation, program review, curriculum development, continuous assessment and program improvement. I have enjoyed success in recruiting students, mentoring faculty and developing new programs. I am a successful grant writer and fundraiser, and enjoy working with faculty, students and staff to develop these capabilities. During my nine years as chair, we have obtained more than $3 million in external funding. I use a team approach that includes students, faculty and staff in accomplishing mutually established goals.
Being chairman has also allowed me to be involved on a daily basis with issues of faculty development, budgets, personnel evaluation, promotion and tenure, enrollment management, community outreach and accreditation. With my leadership, several programs obtained TAC of ABET and ACCE initial accreditation and reaccreditation. We have revitalized and reorganized the undergraduate and graduate programs, resulting in enrollment growth and diversity in students, faculty and staff.
If selected, what kind of changes would you like to see at CASA? If selected as the next dean of CASA, I would like to see the college transition from a good college to a great college and sustain that level of excellence in total alignment with University goals. I would underscore the importance of collegiality and openness in the strategic planning process.
Additional comments: Key elements outlined in Southern at 150 should be used as a framework for change in CASA.
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Daily Egyptian Spring 04 
