Stephen Hudman

stephen hudman

What is your current position, and how many years have you been a dean?
Associate Dean, School of Science & Mathematics at Turman State University for one year.

What advice would you give new deans?
From the perspective of being a Chair: If you’re hired from within you have to establish new relationships with those that you already know. And if you’re coming from outside of the institution, it is even more important to establish relationships. Implement zero changes until you know the landscape, objectives, weaknesses, and growth opportunities.

What would you say is your most meaningful contribution as dean?
In higher ed, and at my institution, instead of making data-driven decisions, we are making more data-informed decisions. Also, I’m able to provide skills and help to take things off of the overburdened plates of the dean.

When you think about the liberal arts, what gives you a sense of hope, what is a concern?
Hope: The liberal arts deliver critical and interdisciplinary thinking.
Concern: The fact that the word “liberal” has been vilified as a way of thinking and educational approach. The two meanings have become conflated.

Why are you a member of CCAS?
As a Department Chair I found the Dept. Chair Seminars helpful and I thought CCAS would be a great networking opportunity. The job can be lonely so being able to talk to people in the same situation is helpful.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I’m a gamer, open world RPG’s (role playing games)

What are you currently reading?
How to Improvise for Real: The Complete Method for All Instruments by David Reed
Everything is Fucked: A Book About Hope by Mark Manson
The Table Maker: A Carpenter’s Guide to Life by Joel Bird