Spring Break
Collaboration is key for Arts and Humanities dean candidate
Matt Hopf / News Editor
Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: News
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"As associate dean, I have made it a point to visit every faculty in their respective offices," he said.
Currently the associate dean for the College of Mass Communication at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Omachonu is interviewing for the position of dean of the College of Arts and Humanities.
Arved Larsen, professor of music and former associate dean of fine arts at Illinois State University, visited campus last week to interview for the position.
Robert Augustine, dean of the Graduate School, met Omachonu at the social with the campus and community Tuesday night.
"I think he brings a lot of experience to the position that would be valuable to the college," Augustine said. "He has experience developing criteria for making important decisions."
Omachonu said at Middle Tennessee he works with chairs within the department through the executive committee, similar to a committee at Eastern.
"On every key decision, you make sure there is adequate consulting," he said.
Omachonu said he was impressed with the quality of students and the quality of faculty at Eastern. He also mentioned the strong structure of the college and how he would make sure to continue the tradition.
James Ochwa-Echel, coordinator for the African-American Studies program and member of the search committee, said Omachonu was an excellent candidate.
"He is knowledgeable about the college and seems to have done his homework of what is the responsibility of the dean," Ochwa-Echel said.
Omachonu said he would look at increasing student participation programs such as study abroad.
Before his current position at Middle Tennessee, Omachonu served as the chairman for the department of communication at Wayne Paterson University in Wayne, N.J., chairman of the department of mass communications at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Ga., and assistant professor of journalism at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla.
He said he preferred small cities and college towns to metropolitan areas.
"This is my kind of place," he said.
Omachonu said he liked the easy access of the campus because he tends to work some Saturdays.
"From what I see so far, I like it," he said.
Omachonu will meet with College of Arts and Humanities faculty and chairs today, before touring the campus and meeting with the search committee and the dean's office staff.
Matt Hopf can be reached at 581-7942 or at mthopf@eiu.edu.
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