Tim Moore, associate dean of advising and undergraduate affairs for the College of Arts and Sciences, has been a part of Kent State for almost forty years.

After being a Kent State student, faculty member and administrator, Moore is now one of the five candidates running for the honors dean position.

He said one of the things that interested him in the job was working with the Honors College since the 1980s.

“I know the quality of the program, and I thought there were some things that I could bring to enhance to the existing quality of the Honors College and make it an even more apparent gem of the university,” he said.

Q: What is your educational/work history?

A: I have all my degrees in Visual Communication Design from Kent State. I got my first degree in 1973, my master of arts degree in 1977 and master of fine arts, which is my Ph.D., in 1980. I’ve been a professor and associate professor in Pan-African studies for 34 years. I started there when I was getting my degrees, where I was becoming affiliated with that program and turned it into a faculty position. Then nine years ago I got recruited in the College of Arts and Sciences to become the associate dean of academic advising and undergraduate affairs.

Q: What experience from your career will benefit you if you earn the position?

A: I’m a creative person by virtue of my involvement in the arts. I see new ways to create possible sources of revenue that can help support the Honors College, and I see potential to include more students and faculty with the Honors College that brings the entire university into a better vision and understanding of what honors is all about.

Q: Since the honors program is different because it isn’t a degree-giving college, what characteristics does a honors dean have compared to other deans?

A: The characteristic of leadership and the ability to relate to people from the students, staff and general Kent State population, as well as the alumni. They also need to be able to encourage and nurture support of our programs for all of these constituents to help the honors mission.

Q: What are your plans/goals for the Honors College if you are appointed the position?

A: To bring more honors faculty from departments that are not currently represented into our collection of the relationships with other colleges. Also to bring more students to the understanding of the importance of honors achievement as well as bring non-honors students into greater collaboration with honors students so that there’s fertilization and inspiration that can help both groups reach their highest potential.

Q: Do you have any new ideas for the Honors College you think will improve the program?

A: I want to find a way to associate the Golden Flash with academic achievement, not just athletics. I want to create a connection for the students with the image of the Golden Flash and the symbolism of high achievement; the magnificence of the golden eagle flying high and all of those things that speak to the qualities of academic integrity and aspiration to greater heights.

Q: As a dean, students look to you for guidance. What kind of advice would you give to students preparing for their future?

A: The thing I’ve been pushing is protect your GPA. Also to aspire to achieve the highest GPA possible and to really stretch your mind while you’re here. Get as much experience you can beyond the major; learn about other people, learn another language, travel to another country if you have the chance because those things will help enhance your marketability when you go looking for your job.

Contact honors college reporter Christina Thomas at [email protected].