Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology to Return to Faculty Next Fall

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Dennis Brewer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Dennis Brewer, associate vice chancellor for information technology and chief information officer (CIO), will return to the faculty in the Department of Mathematical Sciences in 2015.

Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Tim O'Donnell, interim vice chancellor for finance and administration, have appointed John English, dean of the College of Engineering, to chair the search committee for Brewer's successor in IT Services.

"Dr. Brewer has moved technology forward on campus," Gaber said. "His guidance and strong communication skills have strengthened academic computing and built on his predecessor's improvements to the network and infrastructure. His commitment to finding the best way to use the latest technology to further the university's educational goals has led to improvements in the level of service that the campus expects."

"Dennis Brewer increased awareness of information technology issues facing the campus, particularly in the support of teaching and researching," O'Donnell said. "His familiarity with the campus and the many constituents that rely on the campus network and infrastructure helped us to make progress quickly. I have appreciated his leadership and the opportunity to work with him."

Brewer, a professor of mathematics, previously chaired the department of computer science until it was combined with the department of computer engineering in 1999. He served as associate vice provost for research and economic development and director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

"I look forward to returning to full-time faculty status after 18 years in a variety of administrative roles," Brewer said. "I have particularly enjoyed working with dedicated and skilled IT Services staff and IT staff across campus during a period of remarkable growth in our student body and in their utilization of technology. The university is poised to further enhance its learning environment and extend its global reach in research and education through information technology."

The search committee is seeking nominees for the associate vice chancellor and CIO position and plans to begin reviewing applications early in 2015 with a decision to be made next spring.

The search committee is composed of the following members:

• John English, dean, College of Engineering
• Don Faulkner, chief information security officer, IT Services
• Miran Kang, director of instructional design and support services, Global Campus
• Justin Maland, assistant athletic director for facilities, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
• Mike Miller, associate dean for academics, College of Education and Health Professions
• Polly Parnell, assistant vice chancellor of finance, Division of Finance and Administration
• Jean Schook, associate vice chancellor, Office of Financial Affairs
• Doug Spearot, associate professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Starla Stensaas, director of communication, IT Services
• Raymond Todd, chair of the senate, Associated Student Government
• Teresa Waddell, director of technology, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
• Tina Whatley, associate director/budget officer, IT Services

IT Services manages and supports the technology and network infrastructure for the university, as well as user services, including the Help Desks, Faculty Technology Center, Student Technology Center and General Access Computing Labs. IT Services also manages and supports campuswide technology systems including email, Blackboard Learn and related systems, ISIS, BASIS, collaboration tools, Web hosting and content management, authentication services, online forms and applications, and technology enhanced classrooms. 

Brewer cited the following recent IT Services accomplishments:

• Increased wireless access points by 50% and wired access by 10%, making Internet access more accessible in more places
• Provided students and faculty with mobile access to ISIS
• Participated in a National Science cyberinfrastructure grant to provide the campus, and AREON, with a 100Gb connection to regional and national research networks
• Increased seats in Blackboard Learn to accommodate the explosive growth in enrollment and use of the learning management system
• Implemented UASuccess that, among other things, allows students to schedule advising appointments online through Blackboard Learn and ISIS
• Developed and launched the Syllabus Bank at syllabus.uark.edu to offer students additional information in the course selection process
• Developed the Hiring Request application to provide an electronic workflow for hiring approvals
• Increased the capacity of the existing virtual server environment and continued the expansion of virtual desktop interfaces, including projects for other departments