Dean Florenz Plassmann
As the new Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, I am delighted to present you with our summer issue of the college’s alumni newsletter Engage. It is very exciting to lead a college with such an illustrious history, with outstanding students and alumni, and with highly dedicated faculty and staff.
I am very grateful to Interim Dean Joseph Shields for guiding the college with thoughtful leadership through the past year. His stewardship has prepared the college for the challenges as well as the opportunities that emerge from the changing landscape of higher education.
I am joining the College of Arts & Sciences with academic experience as Professor of Economics and Political Science, and with administrative experience as Associate Dean and Department Chair at Binghamton University, one of SUNY’s four research centers, and as program director at the National Science Foundation. What immediately attracted me to Ohio University is its focus on serving the population of Southeastern Ohio, as well as the mission of our faculty to provide a great education to OHIO’s students while being engaged in world-class research.
For example, Dr. Alycia Stigall, Professor of Geology, analyzes the development of new species that occurred about 450 million years ago. Fossil records can provide unique insights into the environmental changes caused by invasive species, and more than 20 of Professor Stigall’s students participate in these projects.
Also consider the research projects by Dr. Corinne Nielsen, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, who studies how blood vessels in the brain develop and function, and Dr. Nicholas Allan, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, who examines biological processes in relation to emotional distress disorders known as anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty. Both faculty recently received prestigious Academic Research Enhancement Awards from the National Institutes of Health, which are designed to support projects that introduce undergraduate and graduate students to state-of-the-art research.
These are just three examples of how our Arts & Sciences faculty involve students in their research endeavors, thus providing invaluable experiences that will help Ohio University students jumpstart their own professional careers.
On Jan. 30, 2020, we will be continuing the tradition of hosting our fourth annual Arts & Sciences Career and Networking Reception, where alumni from across our 19 departments come back to Athens to review resumes and help Arts & Sciences students practice networking.
I also hope to meet many of you at Homecoming 2019. Please plan to stop by the College of Arts & Sciences tent after the parade on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Dr. Florenz Plassmann
Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Comments