Listening Sessions for New Turner College Dean Now Concluded

The two listening sessions concerning the search for a new Turner College dean are complete. The second of these occurred this morning, and compared to the first one from last evening, it was heavily attended. Many of the same ideas from last evening were discussed, including the need for a new dean who focuses on enrollment growth, program innovation, AACSB reaccreditation, cybersecurity and data science education, and strengthening relationships between the Turner College and local businesses and school systems. Two attendees discussed difficulties facing TSYS School computer science and cybersecurity graduates in securing professional employment, while one of two of the attendees expressed a desire to have a dean with industry experience with the other preferring one with a strong academic background. As before, much of the discussion centered on the lack of computer science faculty on the search committee. Last evening an attendee suggested that one computer science faculty member be added. At this morning's event, an attendee indicated that at least two computer science faculty should be included, with one of these representing cybersecurity Nexus. This discussion again revealed that the absence of computer science faculty was an intentional decision made by CSU's Provost in anticipation of these faculty instead assisting in the search for a new director of emergent technologies, who will oversee activities involving computer science, robotics engineering and the Coca Cola Space Center. These activities will involve the new $22.2 million center for advanced technologies that will soon occupy campus terrain currently utilized by the CSU Police Department. As with last evening's session, this discussion also included some speculation that CSU is prepping for a new college or school that will include computer science and robotics engineering. In response, the chair of the search committee, Dean Margie Yates, indicated that no such plans were currently in place. Lastly, Buffkin/Baker's Martin Baker provided a schedule of future events, including a survey that will be released to the CSU community early next week. He also stated that a draft profile should be ready by the week of September 7th, and that by mid-September the search should be up and running for the following four to five weeks, culminating in November by visits to the campus by three or four finalists. Until these three or four finalists are chosen, the names of all candidates will remain confidential. At that time, only the names of the finalists will be released to the public.