Dr. Steven Runge has been appointed the new Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Central Arkansas.
Dr. Runge, who first came to UCA in 1991 as an assistant professor, has served as Interim Dean of the College for the past year and has served as Professor and Chair of the Biology Department for the previous six years.
“Dr. Runge is the ideal person to lead the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics”, said Dr. Lance Grahn, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “He has secured thousands of dollars in grants for the college, promoted undergraduate research and has been instrumental in the planning of the new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Residential College scheduled to open this fall. He is also helping to establish UCA’s reputation as a scientifically research-active university.”
“But more than that, Dr. Runge has the expertise and confidence in CNSM’s students, faculty, and programs that the College needs. He has an optimistic vision for the College and the University as well as the administrative adaptability that these uncertain times require,” Dr. Grahn added.
Dr. Runge said he was excited about the opportunity to continue leading the College. He also was humbled by the support expressed by the faculty and administrative team within the College and by the other Deans, Dr. Grahn and UCA President Allen Meadors.
“While things are tight on the budget front, these are exciting times at UCA as we move forward with our strategic planning and master planning for the university,” he said. “I’m glad to have the chance to be a part of those processes.”
Dr. Runge’s first priority as Dean is to make sure the new STEM Residential College, slated to open in Arkansas Hall in August, gets off to a solid start.
“It is our job to implement the planned programs such that our students are even more successful in the future than they are currently,” Dr. Runge said. “This is going to be a bit of challenge because our students are already very successful, but I know we can do it.”
Outside of the STEM Residential College, the College faculty and staff have established a number of goals that include long-term preservation of the Jewel Moore Nature Reserve, raising funds for construction of an iSMEC (Integrated Science and Mathematics Education Center), inclusion of expanded spaces for the departments in the College in the University Master Plan, and the development of innovative ways to deliver the very best science, mathematics, computer science, math education and science education programs.
“We hope some of our plans will allow us to expand our programs to reach under-served populations and geographic regions in Arkansas,” Dr. Runge said.
Runge noted that the College faces several obstacles – budget and space — but it will continue to be aggressive in its effort to secure external funding to help meet these challenges.
“We have an outstanding faculty and staff in our college and an administrative team that is innovative, hard-working and collaborative, so we simply need to ensure that we are all working on the same page toward achieving common goals,” he said. “… The future is bright in Arkansas and at UCA and I am glad to be a part of the good things that are happening.”
