Dr. John Jackson will serve as interim dean of the Arkansas Tech University College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) effective July 1, 2023.
A member of the ATU faculty since 2003, Jackson is professor of fisheries science. His previous administrative appointments at Arkansas Tech have included program director of fisheries and wildlife science, head of the ATU Department of Biological Sciences, interim head of the ATU Department of Mathematics and interim dean of the unit previously known as the ATU College of Natural and Health Sciences.
Jackson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University as well as Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Mississippi State University.
A member of the American Fisheries Society since 1993, Jackson has served the professional organization as state and regional president.
“I am grateful to Dr. Jackson for his willingness to step into this deanship on an interim basis,” said Dr. Julie Furst-Bowe, interim vice president for academic affairs at ATU. “He is a respected leader on our campus, and he has all the skills and experience necessary to keep the College of STEM moving forward in support of our university mission, vision and strategic plan.”
Jackson will succeed Dr. Judy Cezeaux, who has served as a college dean at ATU since June 2018. Cezeaux has submitted her resignation effective June 30, 2023.
“Dr. Cezeaux has been involved in several major college and university initiatives during the past five years,” said Furst-Bowe. “Most notably, she served as the inaugural leader of the College of STEM following the recent restructuring of the academic colleges. Dr. Cezeaux has also been a leader in curriculum development and in innovative program delivery, and she was the recipient of the American Society for Engineering Education’s Theo C. Pilkington Outstanding Educator Award in 2020. We are appreciative to Dr. Cezeaux for her dedicated leadership and service and wish her well in future endeavors.”
Furst-Bowe said that a national search to identify permanent leadership for the ATU College of STEM will take place.
Jackson’s appointment as interim dean creates two department head openings. Those will be filled on an interim basis by Dr. Chris Kellner, who will serve as interim head of the ATU Department of Biological Sciences, and Dr. Hamed Shojaei, who will serve as interim head of the ATU Department of Mathematics. Both of those appointments are effective July 1, 2023.
Kellner is professor of wildlife science at ATU. He has been a member of the Arkansas Tech faculty since 1991.
Shojaei is professor of physics at ATU and head of the ATU Department of Physical and Earth Sciences. He joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 2009.
Furst-Bowe stated that a nationwide search for the head of the ATU Department of Mathematics will take place during the fall 2023 semester.
