Dean’s Message - Fall 2015 | HHS | SIU

Southern Illinois University

CONTACT

SIU.EDU

Dean’s Message

Dean Wang

The holiday season is underway, and I would like to recognize the many things for which I am thankful. In every one of the metrics by which we judge an academic college, we have had a terrific year. The enrollment of CASA programs is up, the retention rate of the college remains high, faculty research/creativity is increasing, and the CASA fundraising outcome in FY 2015 was doubled that in FY 2013. I am thankful to work at such an outstanding college with talented faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supportive industry partners. During this calendar year, we have had many successes in the classroom, the laboratory, and the community. To name just a few:

  • The 2015 Applied Sciences and Arts Multidisciplinary Research Symposium was extremely successful.

  • The inaugural issue of “Journal of Applied Sciences and Arts” was published.

  • We welcomed our largest, best-prepared freshman class ever in several programs, including Automotive Technology (AUT), Health Care Management (HCM), and Mortuary Science and Funeral Services (MSFS).

  • The online Masters of Architecture (MARC) enrollment increased rapidly and on-time graduation rate is higher than 91 percent.

  • Our Fire Service Management (FSM) program is recognized as a University and Agency Partnership Initiative (UAPI) partner by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

  • The School of Allied Health has successfully proposed two new master’s degree programs: Master of Health Administration (MHA) and Master of Health Informatics (MHI).

  • Jessica Reed and Stephanie Armstrong took first place in the 2015 Air Race Classic competition for women pilots.

  • The Flying Salukis are the 2015-2016 National Champions again, and the team took first place in the 2015 Region VIII SAFECON competition.

  • The 2015 cohort of Dental Hygiene (DH) students passed the National Board DH Exam (NBDHE) on their first attempt with 100 percent passing rate.

  • The 2015 summer class of Radiation Therapy specialization in Radiologic Sciences program passed the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam on their first attempt with 100 percent passing rate.

  • Our Dental Hygiene (DH) program was selected by “The Journal of Dental Hygiene,” the premier scientific publication for research supporting the transformation of dental hygiene, to participate in the second phase of the Transforming Dental Hygiene Education (TDHE) pilot project.

  • The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has awarded continuing accreditation to our Diagnostic Medical Sonography-General program.

  • The Dental Hygiene (DH) program received Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accreditation.

  • Our Aviation Flight (AF) program was fully accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).

  • The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) program received the maximum initial accreditation award of three years by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

  • Our Health Care Management (HCM) received re-certification from the Board of Directors of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).

Although this list is long, these items are only examples of the hundreds of large and small actions that show the extraordinary commitments to our students. None of our success would be possible without the support from alumni, community and industry partners, and the hard work of CASA faculty and staff. As Dean, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and work with tremendous colleagues, like you, who are dedicated to student success. As we are approaching the holiday season, I hope you can take some time during the holiday to rest and recharge as you enjoy being with family and friends.

An integral part of the CASA family left the university last month. Kevin Lister, chief development officer for Institutional Advancement, retired after 19 years at the university. He accepted a position of Annual Giving Officer for the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. While this is a significant gain for that institution, I consider it a devastating loss for CASA and the university. I hope the SIU Foundation will be able to find a new chief development officer to represent the college very soon. Kevin is a donor-centered relationship builder, and he fully understood that fundraising is not about money, but about people giving to fulfill their own aspirations and values.

Andy Wang, Ph.D.
Professor and Dean