vol. XVII no. 2

				Page 1 2 3 4 As associate dean for the past six years, H. Fenwick Huss has been a driving force behind many of the College's most innovative programs. He has created unique international partnerships in places such as Europe, South Africa, China and Russia. He has brought many leading scholars to the College faculty. He has led the undergraduate program to its best rankings ever and has contributed to curricular changes that will keep the College's MBA program on the cutting edge. Now as the new dean of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Huss faces the challenges associated with raising the bar even higher, of taking a college poised on the brink of greatness to the next level. In this wide-ranging interview with State of Business, he talks about the College today and what it will take to make it the best. STATE of BUSINESS: As the new dean, how do you view the College today? What are the biggest challenges? FENWICK HUSS: The College has a strong faculty base, solid programs and a strong reputation in the local market. Certain programs have a strong reputation nationally and internationally, such as our risk management and insurance program. Overall, though, our big challenge is to raise the stature of the school, already known locally, to a higher level nationally and internationally. That, of course, is easier said than done. It requires hiring the best faculty, and right now the competition for hiring top-notch faculty is very intense and very costly. STATE: What are your priorities as you begin your administration? FH: Externally, my first priority has been to make connections with our various constituencies - alumni, media, donors and others. I have spent considerable time these first few months doing that. I'm encouraging faculty and students to become involved as well. Our linkages with business and other external audiences are very important to the College's long-term success. Internally, my priorities are to push on our program review efforts and to enhance significantly the quality of our programs and services to our students. I would also like to see a sense of community among students, which is often missing here at Robinson. My kudos to Georgia State for efforts in this regard. The creation of the student recreation center has helped. Our entry into the Colonial Athletic Association should make our sports programs more interesting. But the College must do more as well. We need to see an expansion of special-interest groups and social clubs. The Graduate Business Association (GBA) has an ambitious schedule this year; their activities and those of other student groups are very important in this effort. Top | Next Page

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