Sonoma State University’s School of Business and Economics awarded Dr. Michael Visser appointed as interim dean. He is scheduled to take up his new position on January 3.
Visser succeeds Dr. Jean-Francois Coget, who is going to Sacramento to direct the business school at California State University. Former interim dean of the business school, Karen Thompson, will take Visser’s place as the faculty’s next associate dean.
“I’m really excited about this opportunity and look forward to getting to know everyone and continuing to make progress on the things we started and making even more friends for us in the community,” Visser told The Press Democrat.
“Many students, especially students from underprivileged backgrounds, (have) a kind of social justice mentality. They want to find a way to give back to their community and we truly believe that business is a perfectly sane way to do that.”
Visser is currently associate faculty dean of the School of Business and Economy, Professor of Economics and past Chair of the University’s Department of Economics.
He earned his Ph.D. and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Western Washington University. He also received an Excellence in Teaching award from colleagues in Sonoma State in 2015.
As a first-generation college student, Visser has focused on supporting integrative efforts and student success initiatives for academic planning and guidance.
“As (Sonoma State University) remains engaged in the spirit of renewal, I am very confident that these changes will take the (School of Business and Economics) to its next level of excellence,” Karen Moranski, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Sonoma State University said in a press release.
“I want Dr. Dean Jean-Francois Coget for his innovative work at the (School of Business and Economics) and wish him well. I am also very pleased that Dr. Visser and Dr. Thompson have accepted the interim positions of dean and associate dean of the faculty.”
Sara Edwards is a small business and consumer reporter for The Press Democrat. You can reach her at 707-521-5487 or [email protected] Follow her on Twitter @sedwards380.
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