NSU Appoints New Dean of Computer Sciences College, Eric Ackerman, Ph.D.

Dean Eric Ackerman, Ph.D.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University (NSU) President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., recently announced the appointment of Eric S. Ackerman, Ph.D., as dean of NSU’s Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences (SCIS). Ackerman, who has served as associate dean and assistant dean with SCIS since 2000, has been serving in the role of interim dean of the college since January, 2012.

“Dean Ackerman has a proven track record of success in creating new initiatives, shoring up morale with students, faculty and staff, and an unwavering dedication to making NSU the premiere university to pursue a graduate degree in computer sciences,” said President Hanbury of Nova Southeastern University.

Dean Ackerman remains an active professor, teaching courses in Java programming to graduate-level and doctoral students both online and in the classroom. Ackerman’s key research areas include: management information systems, project management, computer space hardware design, and microgravity research.

“In this era of rapid technological growth, each new day brings demands for increased proficiencies of those whose professions involve computers and information technology,” said Dean Eric Ackerman. “NSU’s graduates are creating computer/software products and information systems, teaching computing, using computing technology in education and training, managing computing resources, and conducting research. We understand that it is our responsibility to offer programs that are timely and provide an enduring foundation for future professional growth.”

Ackerman has been active in the engineering and information sciences field for over 25 years. His experience includes teaching engineering/information science courses, managing academic programs and consulting on educational and industrial engineering initiatives. He has been involved in numerous engineering projects including designing space hardware that has flown on the Space Shuttle. Ackerman is a senior member of IEEE and has received various IEEE section, council and regional awards including the Region 3 IEEE-USA Regional Professional Leadership award. He is also a member of ACM, ASEE, AIS, AIAA, and Upsilon Pi Epsilon.

Active both in the classroom and the community, Ackerman is currently Vice President of Career and Member Services for IEEE-USA; President of the South Florida InfraGard Chapter; board member of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center; and Project Director for NSU’s Emil Buehler Research Center for Engineering, Science and Mathematics.

For more information, visit: www.nova.edu/scis

About NSU’s Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences
Beginning in 1975 with the creation of a graduate computer science program, the school has been a pioneer in computing research and education. With its first general purpose computer, a VAX 11/780, the school began offering online programs in 1983 and created the first electronic classroom in 1985. The school continues today to have distinguished faculty and alumni who have made substantial contributions to research and industry.

About The Emil Buehler Research Center for Engineering
The Emil Buehler Research Center for Engineering, Science and Mathematics (EBRC) is a research center within the future Center for Collaborative Research at NSU, and is funded in part by a generous gift from the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust. It will be designed to support the small payload community by facilitating the development of space hardware designed by a new generation of microgravity researchers focused on conducting suborbital and orbital research on next-gen space launch vehicles. It will also serve as a training ground to advance teacher education and retention in the critical fields of aerospace, mathematics, science, technology and engineering.

About Nova Southeastern University
Located in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited Florida University dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 28,000 students and is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The University awards associate’s, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences.  Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU was also awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification in 2010 for the University’s significant commitment to and demonstration of community engagement.   For more information about NSU visit www.nova.edu.

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Media Contact:
Brandon Hensler, APR, NSU Office of Public Affairs
office (954) 262-5385, cell (954) 393-5926, or e-mail: brandon.hensler@nova.edu