Dr. Peter Lyons, vice provost and dean of Georgia State University's Perimeter College, released the following announcement of academic appointments and assignments on June 17:
To Perimeter College Faculty and Staff:
It is my pleasure to share news on important appointments and assignments in Perimeter College’s academic leadership team. First, please join me in congratulating the new department chairs listed below and in welcoming Dr. Laurent Ditmann, Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities.
Laurent Ditmann, Ph.D., will serve as associate dean of arts and humanities and as associate dean of the Newton Campus. Dr. Ditmann has been an assistant professor of French at Perimeter. Among his degrees are a doctorate in French studies from Brown University, a master’s degree from University of Paris X Nanterre and a Master of Arts in English Literature from Portland State University.
The following appointments for Division/Department Chairs have been made:
Arts & Humanities: Eric Morton, Ph.D.
Dr. Morton is an assistant professor of philosophy teaching at Perimeter College since 2010.
Business, PE & SLIP: James Kahiga, Ph.D.
Dr. Kahiga joined Perimeter College in 1990 and has been a department chair for online business and physical education since 2009.
Computer Science: Cynthia Lester, Ph.D.
Dr. Lester joined Perimeter College in 2012. She has been executive director for STEM Initiatives.
English: Ken Johnson, Ph.D.
Dr. Johnson came to Perimeter College in 2000. He has served as department chair of English, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
English: Charles Fox
Charles Fox came to Perimeter College in 1999. He has served as a department chair or associate department chair of English at the college since 2010.
ESL & World Languages: Debra Denzer
Debra Denzer joined Perimeter College in 1988. She previously served as department chair and also as director for the college’s Center for International Education.
History & Political Science: Otto Burianek, Ph.D.
Dr. Burianek joined Perimeter College in 2004 and has served as a department chair at the college since 2008.
Life and Earth Sciences: Carl McAllister, Ph.D.
Dr. McAllister has been at Perimeter College since 2000. He has served as a department chair since 2004 and as department chair of life and earth sciences since 2013.
Mathematics: Kevin Yeomans, Ph.D.
Dr. Yeomans came to Perimeter College in 2009 and has served as department chair of mathematics and computer science.
Physical Sciences: Solomon Fesseha, Ph.D.
Dr. Fesseha joined Perimeter College in 1991 and has been department chair of online science at Perimeter since 2009.
Social & Behavioral Sciences: John Redmond, Ph.D.
Dr. Redmond came to Perimeter College in 2008 and has served as department chair of social and behavioral sciences.
I look forward to working with these college leaders and hope you will join me in congratulating them.
An appointment for the chair of Nursing is being finalized and will be announced soon. In addition, the following changes have been made in the campus assignments of Associate Deans:
Susan Cody-Rydzewski, Ph.D., will continue as associate dean of social sciences and also serve as associate dean for the Dunwoody Campus, moving there from her current position overseeing the Clarkston Campus. Dr. Cody has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Jacksonville University, and a master’s and doctorate in sociology from the University of Florida.
Dr. Maggie Ehrlich, who has been overseeing the college’s online programs, will become associate dean for the Clarkston Campus. She will continue as associate dean over mathematics, computer science and engineering. Among Dr. Ehrlich’s degrees are a master’s degree and a doctorate in mathematics education from Georgia State University.
Dr. Stuart Noel will continue as associate dean of the Decatur Campus and as associate dean of English. Dr. Noel received his master’s degree and doctorate from Georgia State University, and his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University.
Dr. Paulos Yohannes, will continue as associate dean of sciences and will become the associate dean for online programs. Dr. Yohannes, who most recently has overseen the Newton Campus, earned his doctorate in chemistry at the University of Kansas, and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees at Addis Ababa University.
Tina Philpot will continue to serve as interim associate dean for the Alpharetta Campus. Philpot has a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.
Finally, I ask you to join me in congratulating Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers who will take up the position of Interim President of South Georgia State College in Douglas Georgia as of July 1, 2016.
Peter Lyons
Vice Provost and Dean