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Dec 11, 2018
Lake Superior State University has appointed Dr. Kimberly Muller to full dean of the university’s College of Innovation and Solutions, comprised of LSSU’s School of Engineering & Technology, the School of Mathematics & Computer Science, and the Lukenda School of Business. Muller has been fulfilling the role as interim since last July.
LSSU president, Dr. Rodney Hanley said “Dr. Muller is a stellar choice to serve as our dean of the College of Innovation and Solutions. I have observed her strong dedication and creativity in many areas, and her leadership has elevated her college to the next level of achievement.”
LSSU provost and vice president for academic affairs, Lynn Gillette said, “Dr. Muller has been an outstanding faculty member for many years. Over the past few months, she has excelled in her role as interim dean. She is widely respected across campus, and she knows how to work with faculty to get things done. We are delighted to appoint her as dean of the College of Innovation and Solutions.”
Muller started at LSSU as an assistant professor of mathematics in 2004, receiving tenure and a promotion to associate professor in Aug. 2009 with elevation to full professor in 2016. Prior to serving as interim dean, she served as the chair of the School of Mathematics and Computer Science for three years. She received a bachelor’s degree in math from Hardin-Simmons University, along with a masters and doctorate – both in math – from the University of North Texas.
“I have enjoyed working with the three Schools over the last four months,” said Muller. “The new leadership, under President Hanley and Provost Gillette, has been extremely supportive. The faculty members are committed to student success and our students are doing some incredible work.”
The three schools under her new mandate have recently accumulated some pretty impressive laurels.
Students in the Lukenda School of Business, she pointed out, scored far above the national average on the ETS Major Field Test: the 98th percentile in accounting and the 93rd percentile in international issues.
“In mathematics, 100% of our majors taking the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification have passed in the last six years,” said Muller. “In computer science and computer networking, our students complete sophomore and senior projects that serve our community, experiences that have helped land outstanding jobs all over the country, including places like Google, Ford, IBM and Aerotek/TARDEC.”
LSSU engineering students complete senior design projects for industrial partners and have 100% job placement after graduation, she added.
“Engineering graduates are helping to fill the talent gap in Michigan,” said Muller. “We also have an exciting new program in robotics and new professional certificate programs in e-marketing and international business. I’m very proud to lead this group and I am excited about the future at LSSU.”
Muller is also very involved in the Sault Ste. Marie community. She serves on the advisory board for the Eastern Upper Peninsula Economic Development Center. She has served on advisory and planning committees, respectively, for the Eastern Upper Peninsula (EUP) Intermediate School District and the EUP Math Teachers’ Circle. She has lead professional development workshops for teachers in the Upper Peninsula and in the Northern Lower Peninsula.
In the past, Muller has volunteered at Lincoln Elementary School and been a task force committee member for SOAR, an organization that addresses the needs of the LGBTQ youth and young adults in Sault Ste. Marie.