Administrative Changes in TAS A new administrative structure took effect this month in the School of Technology and Applied Sciences. The associate dean position, which had been filled on an interim basis, has been replaced by two department heads. Daryl Kobie oversees Technology and Occupational Sciences and Mike Rudisill is at the helm of Engineering Technology. “The main motivation for this shift was improved efficiency,” said Paul Lang (Professional Studies). “We have also contracted with Northern Initiatives to help us incorporate lean manufacturing techniques in Jacobetti. Northern Initiatives is working with about a dozen people on a bi-weekly basis to streamline communication and decision-making processes and eliminate waste and down time. It’s a big facility with 35 faculty and we’re just looking to operate more efficiently.”
“With 22 faculty, one of my main goals is to improve communication – not only among the programs in the department, but between the department and the College of Professional Studies, which is where we’re housed," said Kobie, pictured left. "Another goal I have is to get more of an industrial presence in the building through training programs and things of that nature.” “The number one focus for me at this point is to grow enrollment, which is a nationwide issue among virtually all engineering technology schools,” said Rudisill, pictured right. “It’s certainly not because we can’t get students jobs. I’ve had to turn away employers who’ve been eager to hire Northern graduates.” Kobie is in his sixth year at NMU. He worked for Coastal Concrete Corporation for more than 16 years in the heavy-highway industry in the Houston, Texas, area. During his tenure at Coastal, he moved up the leadership ranks to general superintendent. He has researched and developed numerous training modules that have served many companies in the area, including Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company and We Energies. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from NMU. Rudisill joined the faculty in 1995. He previously worked with the U.S. Air Force in several capacities, including at the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base as an instructor aircraft commander. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois and a master's degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Both department head positions were filled through an internal search process. |
Technology and Occupational Sciences is comprised of several diverse programs related to construction, hospitality, aviation, cosmetology and automotive services. Kobie’s construction management teaching load has been reduced to four credits per semester so he can focus on his new administrative duties.
Engineering Technology includes programs related to industrial technology and electronics and mechanical engineering. Rudisill is teaching electronics courses part time while serving as department head.
