“This college is something special!” Jackson State University President Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers told faculty and staff of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) on Monday.
Meyers said that as an engineer herself, she “keeps up with” CSET, to cheers of those attending.
While on this last stop of her “college tour” to visit and listen to the concerns of faculty in each of JSU’s colleges, she recalled the excitement of learning to drive her first car and witnessing the miracles of the U.S. space program. That’s when, she said, “the magic happened” and she “fell hopelessly in love with engineering.”
Dr. Meyers earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Howard University, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a doctorate in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and completed post-doctoral work at Harvard University. She is a fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a board member of the American Council on Education.
She noted that she considers engineering her “home” department.
The College’s accomplishments have been many, she said, including:
Higher enrollment
Proficient grantsmanship
Focus on teaching
She expanded on various initiatives of the college, such as expansion of facilities (2015 groundbreaking for the department of technology’s new building, with move-in expected to be complete by spring 2016), and its “big data” coordinating center.
“I could go on and on,” she said.
As previously on her tour, Meyers was accompanied by Dr. James C. Renick, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs, who also fielded questions with her at the CSET building, where she was presented with roses by members of the Society of Women Engineers.
Meyers and Renick answered questions on topics including: student insurance costs, international students’ fees, library facilities, cafeteria food, funding for supplies, faculty pay, and whether graduate assistants should be treated as students or employees.
