Orientation at School of Science and Technology at Georgia Gwinnette College

The School of Science and Technology

Georgia Gwinnette College

This is a compilation of my understanding of the presentation given by the dean of SST at GGC during the new faculty orientation.

Aims of SST for 2011-12:

According to Dr. Mundie, the dean of SST at GGC, the things to be done this year are listed below. These are the goals of the school for next year 2011-12.

1. Getting a honors program in B.S.

2. Office of grants.

General distribution of new SST faculty:

Out of a total of 105 new GGC faculty hired this year, there were 45 new SST faculty. To give a general idea of the career-demographics of the new faculty of SST: there were around 12 faculty having about 10+ years of experience in either academic teaching or industry. There were about 6 fresh Ph.D’s in this group.

Orientation Presentation:

The following part of this document is taken from the ppt presentation of Dr. Mundie presented during the orientation of new SST faculty.

Team of SST at GGC:

2 Associate Deans are: Dr. Sauder and Dr. Taylor.

5 faculty administrators.

2 Administrative assistants.

4 Lab support personnel.

1 Health and Safety Environmental Specialist.

131 Full-time faculty (1:25 ratio across entire GGC 300 faculty).

80 Part-time faculty (30% of sections), Dean would like to reduce this to 15-20% of sections.

Mission of SST:

1. Innovative outcome-based learning experience for all students. The outcomes are the basis domains that determine the content and syllabus of any new course that is proposed and taught at GGC.

2. Offer disciplinary and interdisciplinary courses as well as practical and applied learning experiences.

3. The SST faculty are knowledgeable of methods of providing innovative active-learning environments.

4. As SST and liberal arts school are the two biggest schools at GGC, they provide courses to all students at GGC.

Vision:

1. SST is looking forwards to be recognized for providing an innovative courses and programs in science, math, and information technology.

2. All courses are characterized by active learning environment and innovative teaching methods.

Dr. Mundie’s Leadership Philosophy:

1. Hire good people and let them do their jobs, not a micro-manager.

2. Believe in selfless service.

3. Open door policy.

4. Committed to creating a positive and supportive work environment.

5. Open to suggestions.

6. Work in the best interests of the students, college and the faculty.

7. Two-way communication with all SST faculty.

8. If authority is exercised, it would be for supporting SST’s mission and vision.

9. Supporter of collaborative leadership.

10. A personality that “chews” on a given issue and make a decision after a good thought process.

11. Might take time in getting back with a reply/solution to a given situation.

Job of the dean of SST:

1. Focus of mission and vision of SST.

2. Work with consensus while making decisions.

3. Manage SST structure and organization.

4. Be dedicated to success of student and faculty.

Characteristics of SST:

1. No departments

2. Balance between disciplinary and interdisciplinary interactions

3. Leadership in place

4. Collaborative decision making.

Literature Review:

There was a mention of reading a peer-reviewed journal paper on following topics:

1. Literature on academic pedagogy

2. Leadership in place

3. What has happened to the professoriate?

Administrative Support Plan:

1. Administrative efficiency and productive

2. Using less paper, printing, copying

3. Help from administrative assistants

a. Support dean and associate dean

b. Liasion with bookstore

c. Walk-in with students

d. Faculty volunteer lists

e. Schedule meetings

f. Purchasing/budgets

g. Maintain faculty information

h. Support faculty and staff search committees

i. Prepare travel requests for all faculty

j. Faculty should maintain correct/updated MS outlook calendar

Thanks!