USM Faculty of Arts and Sciences Welcomes New Administrators
Mon,
09/19/2022 – 09:20am | By: Ivonne Kawas
The College of Southern Mississippi (USM)’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences has welcomed
4 new administrators this fall, together with Dr. Mehmet Bayraktar, Faculty of Building
and Design; Meg Brooker, Faculty of Performing and Visible Arts (SPVA); Lt Colonel Sheena
Puleali’I, Aerospace Research (Air Power ROTC); and Dr. Brenda Rowe, Faculty of Felony
Justice and Forensic Sciences.
“We’re excited to welcome these new leaders to Southern Miss and the Faculty of Arts
and Sciences. Every brings an in depth skilled background,” stated Dr. Chris Winstead,
Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. “I’m wanting ahead to working with them
as we attempt to boost our tutorial packages, present distinctive pupil experiences,
and develop our analysis and inventive actions.”
New administrators embrace:
Dr. Mehmet Bayraktar | Faculty of Building and Design
Earlier than becoming a member of USM, Dr. Bayraktar served as division chair and professor of the
Civil Engineering Division at Istanbul Technical College for 2 years.
Over the previous fifteen years, Dr. Bayraktar has efficiently obtained greater than $2
million of exterior analysis funding in Building Engineering and Administration and
managed 15 analysis initiatives funded by businesses such because the Florida Division of
Transportation, Building Trade Institute, and the European Fee. He has
authored and co-authored greater than 25 articles in top-ranked refereed journals and
graduated two doctoral college students in Civil Engineering.
Dr. Bayraktar’s analysis pursuits and areas of experience embrace the event
of revolutionary computer-based danger evaluation and strategic administration resolution assist
methods and options for Building Engineering and Administration. Particularly, administration
and optimization of infrastructure initiatives, public-private partnerships, use of renewable
power in infrastructure initiatives, and venture danger administration and resolution assist
methods embrace the most important sources of his analysis funding.
Dr. Bayraktar has been honored with prestigious accolades, together with being the 2010
and 2012 Kauffman Professor Awards given by Florida Worldwide College’s Eugenio
Pino and Household International Entrepreneurship Heart for his revolutionary analysis on net-zero
buildings and inexperienced constructing applied sciences. Dr. Bayraktar additionally serves as an editorial
board member of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Journal of Administration in
Engineering.
“I’m thrilled to function the brand new director of the Faculty of Building and Design,
which homes three nationally accredited packages and glorious school experience,”
stated Dr. Bayraktar. “My major objective is to offer management as a unifying hyperlink between
our packages with a purpose to propel the Faculty to the following degree. I plan to collaborate
with college students, school, and employees to make sure that all college students obtain a beneficial schooling,
in addition to reveal our dedication to pupil success by revolutionary engagement
and retention efforts,” he added. “I strongly consider that constructing sturdy relationships
with our alumni, business consultants, and the group will assist us develop into nationwide
leaders in design and development schooling.”
Meg Brooker | Faculty of Performing and Visible Arts
Brooker involves USM from Center Tennessee State College. She is the founding father of
the Isadora Duncan Worldwide Symposium, creative director of Duncan Dance South,
and a former member of Lori Belilove & Firm, Isadora Duncan Dance Basis.
Brooker has carried out in venues all through america, together with Russia, Greece,
Ukraine, Italy, and England. Within the Southeast, Brooker’s work has been produced by
the Hunter Museum of American Artwork and the Nashville Parthenon.
Her unique choreography on undergraduate college students has twice been chosen for ACDA
Regional Gala Live shows by a panel of nationwide adjudicators. Brooker has introduced
scholarship for Society of Dance Historical past Students, Congress on Analysis in Dance,
Dance Research Affiliation, Nationwide Dance Schooling Group, and Ladies in Dance
Management.
“At USM, I’m wanting ahead to representing throughout the artwork types of artwork and design,
dance, and theatre,” stated Brooker. “I determine as an interdisciplinary performing
artist–my major work has been in dance, however I’ve additionally skilled extensively in
theatre and frequently collaborate with musicians and visible artists. I’m very excited
to assist the revolutionary and inventive work of SPVA’s award-winning school and college students.”
Lt. Colonel Sheena Puleali’I | Aerospace Research (Air Power ROTC)
Lt. Col Puleali’i joins USM because the Commander of Air Power Reserve Officer Coaching
Corps Detachment 432. She is answerable for recruiting, educating, and growing
officer candidates by faculty campus packages primarily based on Air Power necessities,
and commissioning those who efficiently meet all instructional and program parameters.
Lt. Col Puleali’i used to be commissioned in 2005 by the Air Power Reserve Officer Coaching
Corps upon graduating from Saint Louis College with a level in Russian Research.
Lt. Col Puleali’i has served in a wide range of positions all through her profession. On the
squadron degree, she was despatched to Kadena Airbase, Japan and served because the Director of
Intelligence on the 909th Air Refueling Squadron. Remaining at Kadena, she served
on the Group degree because the Deputy Chief of Intelligence Plans and Workouts and supplied
intelligence assist to the Fight Air Power’s largest fighter wing within the Pacific.
“I’m so extremely humbled that america Air Power has entrusted me with
the accountability of coaching, growing, and commissioning the Air and House Power’s
future leaders,” stated Lt. Col Puleali’i. “Molding, mentoring, and getting ready these
younger cadets for service within the Air Power is what I’m wanting ahead to most! I’ve
simply hit the 17-year mark in my Air Power Profession: I’ve seen loads, realized loads,
and I need to share all of my data with the cadets to higher put together them in
their journey – whether or not it’s a full profession, or whether or not they serve just a few years earlier than
transitioning to a profession exterior the Air Power.”
“I’ve a improbable workforce at USM’s Det. 432 and all of us need our cadets to achieve success
in both pathway they select as a result of they’re our future…not simply the Air Power’s
future,” she added. “I can’t wait to see them acquire confidence in themselves and notice
the distinctive worth that each one in every of them will convey to the desk; I can’t
wait to see what abilities they uncover for themselves and what they select to do with
these abilities – there are such a lot of totally different careers and alternatives within the Air Power
and past – the sky is the restrict and I’m very blessed to play a job of their journey.”
Dr. Brenda Rowe | Faculty of Felony Justice and Forensic Sciences
Dr. Rowe involves USM from Texas A&M College – San Antonio, the place she served as
an assistant professor of criminology and felony justice.
Dr. Rowe’s analysis focuses on courts, authorized points in felony justice, cybersecurity
legislation, felony justice laws, loss of life penalty jurisprudence, and felony process.
She has printed in well-regarded peer-reviewed journals comparable to The Jail Journal, American Journal of Felony Justice, Safety Journal, Felony Justice Coverage Overview, and Journal of Felony Justice Schooling.
Dr. Rowe has acquired a number of accolades in recognition of her excellent contributions
to the self-discipline, together with the Academy of Felony Justice Sciences Dorothy Bracey/Janice
Joseph Minority and Ladies New Scholar Award. She has served as Govt Counselor
of the Regulation and Public Coverage part of the Academy of Felony Justice Sciences and
because the MADD South Texas Affiliate Advisory Board Vice Chair for Public Coverage.
Dr. Rowe earned a Ph.D. in Felony Justice from Sam Houston State College and
a J.D. from the College of Texas Faculty of Regulation. Previous to her tutorial profession, she
was an Assistant Felony District Lawyer in Tarrant County (Fort Price), Texas.
“On this position, I’m wanting ahead to supporting school of their mission of getting ready
college students to develop into students and leaders within the fields of felony justice, forensic
science, and safety,” stated Dr. Rowe. “The Faculty has dedicated school who contribute
to their fields by revolutionary analysis, whereas additionally mentoring college students in conducting
analysis and pursuing their profession targets. Our college students tremendously profit by studying
from school who’re lively students and have practitioner expertise. Our numerous
pupil physique are lively in pupil organizations which permit them to work together with
practitioners, assist one another of their tutorial pursuits and in representing USM.”
she added. “I look ahead to having the chance to steer in persevering with to propel
our custom of excellence ahead.”
Be taught extra in regards to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
