Sonoma State University’s College of Business and Economics has appointed Dr. Michael Visser as interim dean. He will start his new position in January. 3.
Visser is succeeding Dr. Jean-Francois Coget, who will head to Sacramento to lead the Cal State College of Business. Karen Thompson, former interim dean of the Faculty of Business, will succeed Visser as the next interim associate dean of the Faculty.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity and look forward to getting to know everyone and continuing to make progress on what we started and making more friends for us in the community,” Visser told The Democrat.
“A lot of students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds,[have]a social justice mindset. They want to find a way to give back to the community, and we feel strongly that business is a perfectly reasonable way to do that.”
Visser is currently the associate dean of the School of Business, a professor of economics, and was once the head of the school’s economics department.
He received a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Oregon and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Western Washington University. In 2015, he also received the “Excellence in Teaching” award from his Sonoma State University colleagues.
As a first-generation college student, Visser is focused on supporting inclusive efforts and student success initiatives in academic planning and advising.
“If (Sonoma State University) continues in the spirit of revival, I am very confident that these changes will take (the College of Business and Economics) to the next level,” said provost and vice president Karen Moranski. ) Say. Academic Affairs Sonoma State University said in a news release.
“I would like to thank Dr. Dean Jean-Francois Coget for his innovative work at the (Faculty of Business and Economics) and wish him all the best. I am also very excited that Dr. Visser and Dr. Thompson have accepted interim appointments as Dean and Associate Dean of the Faculty Position.”
Sara Edwards is a small business and consumer reporter for The Democratic Party. You can reach her at 707-521-5487 or by email at sara.edwards@pressdemocrat.com.Follow her on Twitter @sedwards380.