The University of Texas-Pan American is on the grow as the search to fill in two dean positions for the recent split of the colleges of science and engineering continues.
Since early May, a total of six candidates have visited the university to show interest in administrative positions for the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Science and Mathematics. The college split will become effective beginning with the fall 2010 semester.
Search committees – composed of faculty, staff and students – were formed under the direction of UTPA President Robert Nelsen along with the executive search firm of Witt/Kieffer. The firm worked on advertising the positions nationally, identifying those qualified for the jobs, and finally arranging interviews with top candidates.
Three hopefuls for each dean position were selected for on-campus interviews and thereupon faculty, staff and students were invited to attend town hall forums to meet and greet with each candidate. Campus visits for the candidates were held May 13-20.
The candidates for the College of Engineering and Computer Science include Miguel Gonzalez, Glen Prater and David Allen. Applicants for the College of Science and Mathematics include Jonathan Campbell, Randy Brutkiweicz and John Trant.
Gonzalez attained his doctorate in industrial engineering in 1995 while Prater received his in mechanical engineering in 1987. Allen graduated in 1980 with a doctorate in aerospace engineering. All have been heavily involved in administrative work.
Campbell earned his Ph.D. in systematics and ecology in 1982 after also studying biology and anthropology. Brutkiewicz attained his terminal degree in cellular and viral immunology from Michigan State University while also studying microbiology, public health and virology. Trant received his doctorate in zoology from the University of Texas at Austin and also studied biology.
“Each candidate that visited our campus was ranked of high caliber. We were fortunate enough to have them visit our campus,” said Javier Kypuros, associate professor of mechanical engineering and head of the search committee for the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Ana Maria Rodriguez, interim provost/vice president for academic affairs, noted there has been interest and enthusiasm for the dean search, and outlined the importance of the decisions to be made.
“The more feedback we have from those who will be primarily impacted, the better the decision making will be,” she said.
The decisions will be announced before the fall, and the new leaders will then continue to administer the college split.
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