New Department Chair and Faculty Join SUU’S College of CIET

Published: August 28, 2007 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Southern Utah University’s College of Computing, Integrated Engineering, and Technology (CCIET) welcomes new department chair and faculty for the 2007/2008 academic year.

The search for high-quality faculty within their field of interest was a joint effort by all the departments within the College of CIET. CCIET’s search committee and administration never wavered from their objective in seeking faculty of excellence and quality.

“One of the strategic goals of the college of CIET is to have world-class teachers and scholars in our classrooms, “said Dr. Mikhail Bouniaev, Dean of College of CIET and Professor of Mathematics. “I believe that the group of faculty we hired this year falls under the definition of ‘world class’ teachers and scholars,” said Bouniaev.

James Burns, Integrated Engineering and Technology (IET) Chair, is a former associate professor at San Diego State University whose research and teaching interests focus on Hybrid-Electric Automotive Systems Engineering, Interdisciplinary Design for Manufacturing, Advanced Composite Materials, Integrated Product & Process Development, and Mechatronics & Rapid Controls Prototyping. Burns received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Delaware.

Florin Balasa, Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS), is a former assistant professor of Computer Science and Computer Engineering at Chicago’s University of Illinois. Balasa received his doctorates in computer science from the Politehnica University of Bucharest in Bucharest, Romania, and in electrical engineering from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Leuven, Belgium. Dr. Balasa specializes in electronic design automation.

Nathan Barker, Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS), has been hired as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in computer science. Barker is an SUU alumnus and received his Ph.D. in computer science at the University of Utah.

Matt Edwards, Integrated Engineering and Technology (IET) has been hired as Construction Management’s Professional in Residence. Matt has 10 years of Industrial Construction management experience. In addition to his construction experience, Matt was a high school counselor and teacher at Pine View High School.

Scott Hansen, Integrated Engineering and Technology (IET), is the former division chair at Mohave Community College and brings to CCIET a vast range of teaching, scholarly, administrative, and recruiting experiences. Hansen received his Ph.D. in Education, with an emphasis in applied science and technology, from the University of Wyoming. CCIET welcomes Dr. Hansen back to the technology department.

Shalini Kesar, Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS), has been hired as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of information systems. Kesar received her Ph.D. in information systems, with a focus on information security, from the University of Salford. Dr. Kesar specializes in information security.

John Murray, Integrated Engineering, has been hired as a tenure-track Associate Professor in Integrated Engineering. Murray received his Ph.D. in Engineering, with an emphasis in microelectronics, from Clemson University in South Carolina.

In contributing to CCIET’s goal of developing a student-focused college, Bouniaev said that “we have to guarantee that the best faculty delivers instruction to the college students.”
The College of CIET offers degrees and certificates in computer science, engineering, information systems, mathematics, technology, and interdisciplinary studies.

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