Updates From The Dean - Issue 22

As we make the run towards the end of the semester, I want to take a few minutes to thank everyone for a great year. It has been another challenging year, but we’ve accomplished a lot in the past 9 months. Below are a few of the highlights with some additional announcements.

• We’ve worked to strengthen shared governance in COSM via strengthening the Faculty Governance Committee and the Undergraduate Research Committee as well as establishing a new Faculty Research Council. In addition, we appointed two faculty fellows to assist us in two important areas - student success and undergraduate research.

• The Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics (BCP) has received approval to launch the Center for Advanced Materials Research starting on July 1. This is an essential part of the growth toward starting a PhD program in Material Science.

• Two new degree program proposals have been submitted:

  • An interdisciplinary team from Biology and Biochemistry, Chemistry, & Physics developed the proposal for the BS Biomedical Sciences degree program led by Rob Mans and Brian Koehler.

  • A team from BCP have developed the proposal for the PhD program in Material Science led by Will Lynch and others.

• Brent Feske has led the efforts to deploy the resources associated with the grant consultants from Hanover Research. This two-year contract will provide professional development and grant proposal reviews for faculty pursuing external funding.

• COSM dominated the Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium (GS4) - we had by far the most presenters on both campuses!!

• We launched the search for the inaugural director of the Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (which technically does not currently exist). The director’s first task will be to establish this center as a hub for interdisciplinary research in the biomedical sciences including collaborations with the regional medical schools, hospitals, and other external partners.

• Mitch Weiland is ready to launch the Eagle Med: the Future Doctoral Mentoring Academy with the goal of enhancing our efforts to prepare students for admission into medical, dental, veterinary, and other medically related doctoral programs.

• The Math Department is working hard in developing plans for the fall visit of Dr. Robert Santos, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau.

• SEES and Biology completed comprehensive program reviews for BS Geosciences and MS Biology, respectively, with overall extremely positive results.

• There are multiple construction or renovation projects either underway or in the planning stages that affect COSM buildings - HVAC for 2nd Floor of Herty Bldg. and the Science Center, lab renovations for the Science Center, Natural Sciences remodel and renovation, and lab renovations for COSM faculty in the Savannah Research Complex.

I could easily go on and on about the accomplishments of COSM faculty, staff, and students during the 2023-2024 academic year. Thank you for all your hard work and effort in providing our students with the best possible educational experiences and congratulations for everything you have accomplished this year!

-Dean Huggins