Orientation Recap
Issue #3 Meet the Faculty
Dean Richard Wiscott, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs
He was born in Struthers, Ohio, lived in California for 12 years; first career in banking. Moved to Colorado to join JWU in 2008. Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Akron, with emphasis in gerontology, research design, and industrial organizational psychology. First generation college student, associate degrees from community college in California, bachelors in psychology and sociology from Youngstown State; partner Michael and daughter Madison who is starting college also this Fall.
Do you have any places on campus you like to go to “get away?” Some of my favorite places I go to think and plan include the benches in the Benefactor’s Garden near the Carillon and the outdoor amphitheater. I enjoy going to the dining hall, not only for the great food, but most importantly to see students. You may also me just walking around the campus taking it all in and getting ideas for enhancing the student experience. Encourage students to say hello and bonus points if they actually start a conversation with me (I am not as intimidating as I look!).
What are some of your favorite things to do in Denver? Food and Movie right now. See a show at the CineCapri in Northfield (largest screen in Colorado) Love to go on Saturday or Sunday mornings/early afternoon to get the best seats in the house. Favorite restaurants right now include La Sandia in Northfield (best salsa and chips in town), Ay Caramba on 3rd in Cherry Creek (amazing Mexican sandwiches – never had a bad meal there), the Grubbery on Havana (good brunch on the weekends), and the patio at La Peep on York at the west end of City park – they an outdoor patio that is relaxing, the service is great and you can often find 2 for 1 coupons in the local paper!)
What are the exciting academic changes that will occur over the next two years at Johnson & Wales? New majors starting this year (Counseling Psychology, Media & Communication Studies, Liberal Arts) and next (Urban Studies, Applied Psychology, Organizational Psychology, and Beverage Industry Operations & Retail Management); enhanced 4+1 MBA options for students to get to get a jump start on graduate education; and most importantly new general education core to provide a solid foundation for career success. A redesigned Honor’s program, enhanced features in ULearn, and new minors are all in the process of rolling out.
There is a lot of construction projects happing on campus over this next academic year, could you give a brief overview of those projects, when they plan to be completed, and what the outcome of those projects would be? All of our construction is designed to enhance the student experience and add to career success. Stay tuned for a big roll out on the changes (posters, videos, etc.) throughout the Fall.