New schools: Meet the Chair of the School of Engineering, Sciences, and Innovation
Ruby Poffinbarger - Staff Writer
Professor Fasano is the Chair of the School of Engineering, Sciences, and Innovation. Since 1998, the researcher and professor of science has spent time learning to “think about hard problems in perhaps new and exotic ways” and “being able to talk to people who know things you don’t know so you can learn from them.” Fasano said that the social element of working in science was unexpected but not unwelcome. “Colleges and universities are at their core about ideas, and about excitement for ideas, and practicing explaining complicated things to people, and practicing getting them excited about things.”
Portrait of Fansano from MC Website.
He said that he wanted to take on the role of school chair because of his belief that he “had things to offer to colleagues and to students…connecting to the world” to build relationships and prepare students for the future.
As every school chair has mentioned before, interdisciplinary interaction will be increased. This is no different for the School of Engineering, Sciences, and Innovation. “It’s already happening in our school, actually,” said Fasano. “All of the disciplines within our school are rather intellectually aligned…the fact that we all are kinda living under the same roof really advances that.”
Outside of science, there is also an interest in a science policy advocacy track. “There are lots of places where we fit together.” What does this mean for students? They can be more comfortable crossing boundaries and becoming more professionally active. “The schools can help us do that in ways a single department maybe couldn’t.”
Fasano repeated the importance of communication and connection, especially for students within his discipline. “Students need to become powerful problem solvers…they need to learn how to talk to people who know things they don’t know, and they need the confidence that you can do things that you don’t know.” So, what is his advice for his students hoping to get into the sciences? “Connect.”