Syracuse University School of Information Studies Associate Professor Michelle Kaarst-Brown has been named the new director of the Professional Doctorate in Information Management program. She assumes her responsibilities formally in May 2010.
As part of the overall doctoral and research programs led by Associate Dean Jeffrey Stanton, Kaarst-Brown will be working closely with Professor Ping Zhang, director of the Ph.D. program, and Professor of Practice Scott Bernard, director of Executive Education. Bernard was the inaugural director of the executive doctorate program and will continue to be involved leading all the iSchool’s executive education initiatives.
“I think of our professional doctoral program as being focused on educating scientist-practitioners who are or will be the leaders in their respective industries,” Stanton said. “Michelle’s background in the insurance industry and her solid credibility as a scholar and researcher makes her an excellent role model and leader for our students.”
Building on its 40 years experience as a recognized leader in campus-based, full-time doctoral level education, the iSchool launched its three-year, part-time Professional Doctorate in Information Management in fall 2008 as a limited residency, online learning program with a five-student cohort of leaders from government, industry, education, and the military. In fall 2009, a second cohort of students began their studies.
“Michelle brings a unique blend of senior academic and practitioner qualifications to her new role as director,” Bernard said. “She has been closely involved with the executive doctorate program during the past two years, serving on the selection committee, teaching their coursework, and leading the most recent on-campus residency. Her energy, experience, and dedication will ensure that the program continues to be a premier offering that is highly sought after by students nationally and internationally.”
As a scholar and former practitioner, Kaarst-Brown will work with faculty and senior administrators at the iSchool to select future cohorts, work with current students, and guide curricular developments in this growing program.
“The iSchool faculty will continue to incorporate feedback from these initial cohorts to strengthen the program and provide the best learning environment for the executive doctorate student,” Kaarst-Brown said.
Kaarst-Brown has more than 30 years experience in management, consulting, and research in the financial services sector, with a special focus on organizational development, marketing, and project management. She joined the iSchool in 2001, after nine years at other universities, and has taught enterprise risk management, strategic management, management issues for information professionals, and social impacts of IT. Her research is driven by a desire to better understand the strategic and cultural integration of information technology at multiple levels: institutional, individual, and societal.
Kaarst-Brown earned an MBA, specializing in entrepreneurship and strategic management and a Ph.D. for her work in the Department of Organizational Behavior and Industrial Relations at the Schulich School of Business at York University in Ontario. Her research has been published in high quality journals, including MIS Quarterly, Information Technology and People, the Journal of Strategic Information Systems, CIO Canada, the Journal of Organizational Change Management, and MISQ Executive. Her research findings are required readings in several master’s and doctoral programs around the world.
Kaarst-Brown can be reached at mlbrow03@syr.edu or at profdoc@syr.edu. Interested applicants can also contact Sue Corieri, director of enrollment management, at sbcorier@syr.edu.