Media Credit: Photo courtesy of Jaime Woodward Don Chu, the new dean of the College of Professional Studies has plans for the future [Click to enlarge]

Dr. Don Chu has joined the University of West Florida as dean of the College of Professional Studies.  Chu comes to the university with more than 20 years experience in higher education, most recently as a professor in the kinesiology department at California State University at Chico, an institution of nearly 16,000 students.
        UWF Provost Sandra Flake said Chu was selected after a search that lasted more than nine months.  The dean was chosen from an applicant pool of nearly a dozen candidates. Flake said Chu's work history easily moved him to the head of the class.

          "He is extremely well-qualified, having served as a department chair for more than 10 years," Flake said.  "Dr. Chu has a solid educational background combined with excellent leadership skills and budget skills."

          Chu's education includes two master's degrees from Stanford University, earning an M.A. in education and an M.A. in sociology.  He also holds a Ph.D. in education from Stanford, which he received in 1978.

          Since that time, Chu has been teaching at the university level.  He spent 10 years as an associate professor at Skidmore College in New York.  Since 1998, he's been at Chico State, where he served as chair of the department of physical education and exercise science for nearly a decade.

          Chu said that it was a difficult decision to leave Chico after so many years at the university and that it was a decision that was not made hastily.

          "I have literally visited hundreds of campuses in the course of my work with educational leadership," Chu said. "This is one of the few places I would have gone."

          Chu, a father of five, says he waited until now to make this kind of professional move because of his children.  "I believe family comes first," Chu said.  "All the kids are taken care of, and now is the time for this type of change."

          His move comes after living in California for more than 20 years.  Chico, a city of just over 70,000, is less than 200 miles from San Francisco.  Chu said he has no concerns about leaving the progressive, fast-paced state of California for a more relaxed Northwest Florida.  "It's just a plane ride away," he said.
        Reaction to Chu's arrival is mixed.  Some students are excited that Chu is taking over as dean of the college. "I hope he will listen to the students more than others have in the past," said Kayla Bailey, a senior in the social work department. "In professional studies, I think things like advising need some improvement."
        John Carey, an instructor in special education, has taught in the college for 10 years.  During that time he's worked under two deans and has seen steady progress from each one.  Carey says he's hopeful that Chu can continue what the other deans started.
        "He has the knowledge, and his credentials are good," Carey said.  "If he combines that with enthusiasm, we can't help but move forward in a positive way."

          Some other members of the COPS faculty seemed less optimistic.  While no faculty member besides Carey would speak on the record, several cited concerns about morale, and others wondered whether Chu, or anyone coming from outside the university, would be open to the ideas and opinions of those who have a history with the college.

          In response to those concerns, Chu says he has no immediate plans for sweeping changes within the college.  Instead, he hopes to take a slower, more humanistic, approach to change.

          "My first plan is for people to get to know me and for me to get to know the lay of the land, so to speak," Chu said.  "But any faculty member whose motivation is to help the students will get my full support."

          Flake supports Chu's plan. "He should get to know the full range of the college," she said. "He comes from one area, but there are many programs and resources included in the college, and he should become familiar with all of them."

          Gayle Hutchinson, chairperson of the department of kinesiology at Chico, worked with Chu for more than 15 years. She said she believes Chu should have no problem earning the trust and support of the COPS faculty, staff and student body.

          "Dr. Chu is a wonderful man and an excellent administrator," Hutchinson said.  "This is an excellent opportunity for him to engage those skills and help students and faculty at UWF achieve their academic goals and potential."

Flake said she also believes that Chu must work with the other colleges within the university in order to move COPS forward.  "His strong interpersonal skills will be vital in helping him collaborate with the other two colleges to improve programs and ultimately help students and faculty," Flake said.

          Carey agrees with Flake's vision for the dean's role.  "The dean can enhance the college's image by being more visible throughout the university.  He can help everyone recognize what we have here: a tremendous amount of expertise within this college," Carey said.

          Chu views it slightly differently.  While he said he thinks visibility is important, he also said he believes that collaboration among the three colleges is basic."We know that isolated specialists working without the benefit of the knowledge of their colleagues in other areas of endeavor can create imbalances," Chu said.  "For this college's students to get a true higher education, we need partnerships with the other colleges within the university."          

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