New appointments and events showcase excellence at Johnson C. Smith University
|
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on January 31, 2017 Chen named STEM Dean Dr. Hang Chen, associate professor and chair of the Computer Science and Engineering Department, was appointed Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Chen had been serving as interim dean since October 2015. Chen chaired the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Department at JCSU, guiding it to new heights in program quality, institutional growth and student achievement. Her work was recently highlighted on the website of the Coastal Resilience Center, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, for a program showcasing environmental applications for computer science. The community has publicly recognized her achievements on behalf of science and industry on several occasions. Most recently, Charlotte Business Journal named her one of the city's 40 Under 40 honorees in March 2016. The award recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who are making major strides in their careers and having a positive impact on their communities. Herring named MSW Director Johnson C. Smith University is pleased to announce Dr. Melvin Herring has been named the new director of the Masters in Social Work program, beginning in May 2017. Herring, who will take over for Dr. Jeanne Cook, will assist in the development of the MSW program, teaching, participating in the reaccreditation of the MSW program by CSWE, and assisting with student recruitment and advisement. Herring will also be responsible for directing and reviewing master’s level research, engaging in community service and university-wide committee involvement, and participating in the development of relationships with other universities, community organizations, external funding sources, and alumni. Herring, who earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Development and Family Studies from UNC-Greensboro, has been an integral part of Johnson C. Smith University’s social work department since 2012. He began his tenure in Metropolitan College’s Adult Degree Program, where he played a vital role in securing the undergraduate social work program’s reaccreditation in 2013. Upon joining the faculty of the newly established Master of Social Work program in Fall 2013, he immediately contributed to the program’s initial accreditation process. Herring is highly sought after for cultural competence education and training and has presented at several local, state, and national conferences on this topic, including South Carolina National Association of Social Workers Conference, JCSU’s Multicultural Student Affairs’ first Diversity and Inclusion Summit, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s Leadership Development Learning Agency Executive Speakers Series, and The Action Council For Cross Cultural Mental Health and Human Services. Two faculty named James B. Duke Endowed Professors President Ronald L. Carter announced that two members of the faculty have been appointed James B. Duke Endowed Professors: Dr. Hang Chen and Dr. Brian Madison Jones. The Duke Endowment Professorship program recognizes academic excellence, providing outstanding faculty members recognition, reward, and an opportunity for professional development in the form of a monetary supplement. Chen, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and associate professor of computer science, was named James B. Duke Distinguished Associate Professor. Chen joined the University in 2004 and has served as chair of the department of Computer Science and Engineering since 2008. She has been published in leading journals and at international conferences, and has received federal and private grants in research and education from National Science Foundation, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Education and Duke Energy Foundation. Jones, dean of the College of Arts and Letters and associate professor of history, was also named a James B. Duke Distinguished Associate Professor. Jones joined the University in 2007. The author of Abolishing the Taboo: Dwight D. Eisenhower and the American Nuclear Doctrine, Jones continued to publish scholarly articles in reputable journals such as North Carolina Historical Review, Presidential Studies Quarterly and The Journal of American History. In 2010, Jones was awarded a teaching grant to develop a course on the history of the Soviet Union, and led JCSU students on a study abroad trip to Russia. In 2011, he received the first annual CATO Par Excellence Teaching Award. His other international efforts include his role as director of the Johnson C. Smith University Center for American Culture and Race, housed at Guangdong Baiyun University in Guangzhou, China. The center promotes understanding between the United States and China. “As scholars and administrators, Jones and Chen are respected and trusted educators with established reputations for excellence and innovation,” said Carter. “This recognition is both thanks and encouragement that they both continue to advance JCSU’s mission with excellence.” DHS website touts JCSU STEM program The Coastal Resilience Center, a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence, recently dedicated a top story to Dr. Hang Chen, dean of the College of STEM, and a JCSU program showcasing environmental applications for computer science. “Preparing Tomorrow’s Minority Task Force in Coastal Resilience through Interdisciplinary Education, Research, and Curriculum Development” has STEM majors use an interdisciplinary approach that integrates computer science, geoscience and social science methodologies to determine key actions communities can take to reduce vulnerability. The story also highlights senior Jean-Marie Nshimiyimana, who was part of a team that studied how different populations in Daytona Beach, Fla., reacted to Hurricane Matthew. Read the full story at http://coastalresiliencecenter.unc.edu/pro... About Johnson C. Smith University Founded in 1867, Johnson C. Smith University is an independent, close-knit urban university located in Charlotte, N.C. It has a growing national reputation for integrating the liberal arts with business, the sciences and technology in ways that empower tomorrow’s diverse entrepreneurial citizens and leaders to be change agents in their professions and communities. Offering 25 fields of study, including a master’s degree in social work, to more than 1,400 students from a variety of ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, the university’s programs focus on intellectual rigor, social consciousness and global responsibility. Visit www.jcsu.edu or follow the university on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest News
 |
Rosen Foundation expanding scholarship program, partnering with Bethune-Cookman UniversityCarrying on the legacy of Harris Rosen and his commitment to education, today the Harris Rosen Foundation announced it is expanding its already-successful scholarship program and partnering with Bethu ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 187 Views • May 19th, 2026 |
 |
Sinners vs. Michael: Which Film Actually Won the Ultimate Culture Debate?While Antoine Fuqua’s Michael is dominating the box office with its electrifying, stadium-level concert recreations and a star-making, uncanny physical performance by Jaafar Jackson, critics and film ...more
TaQuan Ford • 189 Views • May 16th, 2026 |
 |
Healthcare Career Fair Aims to Connect Employers with Qualified Local Talent in Northern VirginiaHealthcare organizations across Northern Virginia will have an opportunity to connect directly with qualified job seekers this June during the upcoming Healthcare Career Fair in Prince William County. ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 364 Views • May 15th, 2026 |
Popular News
 |
North Carolina HBCU Unity DayShaw University - Elizabeth City State University - Johnson C. Smith University - Fayetteville State University - Livingstone College - North Carolina A&T State University - North Carolina Central Uni ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 109,298 Views • August 8th, 2016 |
