As Kennesaw State continues to expand each year, changes within the campus structure are made in efforts of improving the university as a whole.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences reflected the changing environment of KSU and hired Dr. Shawn Long as dean, making him the first black person to ever serve as dean of the school.
Previously, Long was a faculty member and administrator at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for 19 years.
He served as senior associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, as well as department chair of communication studies and director of the communication graduate program.
One thing is clear: Long got the ball rolling as soon as he arrived at KSU.
Long did not hesitate to mention a number of different plans that will be put in place soon — one being the “PassPort to Success” program that is scheduled to take effect this upcoming school year.
“The PassPort Program will help students think about leadership, innovation, creativity and careers in a more meaningful way, early on in their academic life,” Long said.
Similarly, he plans for the CHSS to work closer with the Career Center to help students begin the process of thinking about life post-graduation their first day as KSU students.
Accelerating the research and engagement opportunities within the college to include undergraduate and graduate research is also part of Long’s vision.
To tackle this, he will be introducing a new program called the “Transdisciplinary Innovation Hubs.”
“These hubs will serve as central spaces for faculty, students and community members interested in developing research, teaching and engagement opportunities focused on technology, health, sports, sustainability and organizations,” Long said.
He aims to create an environment that students will enjoy and benefit from while also maintaining a high standard for the curriculum that will bring KSU to the forefront of research among colleges across the nation.
“We want every student who wants an internship to get a great one,” Long said. “We want all of our students to graduate in a timely manner, but also have rich and robust experiences as undergraduate and graduate students.”
Inaccessibility is an issue students will not have to worry about when it comes to speaking and meeting with Long.
He welcomes anyone interested to his “Arnold Palmer with the Dean” chat sessions every other Wednesday and Thursday this year.
At these chats, students are invited to openly share their ideas on how to make the school stronger while enjoying Arnold Palmers and snacks.
Long finished with words detailing his overall gratitude for the ability to serve as dean.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve all of our great students at KSU,” Long said. “Diversity and inclusion are incredibly important to me. The commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion are strong values at KSU, so having the opportunity to serve in the role of dean signals that this commitment is real and tangible.”
