A newly revamped department on ASU's Polytechnic campus will mean more degree programs for students.
The rebirth of the Department of Technology Management, formerly the Department of Information and Management Technology fits into the Polytechnic campus' "Five-Year Plan," which includes new construction projects, expansion of many degree programs, and the reorganization of certain academic departments.
Degrees offered through the Department of Technology Management, will center on the subjects business and engineering. This means students will have more degree program options.
"The DTM was created to accommodate a more diverse and evolving demand from business, industry, and public government," Dr. Thomas E. Schildgen, department chair of Technology Management, said. "Our graduates have strong technical backgrounds, but are able to study operations management, human resources, and other management related issues that effect the private and public sectors."
Currently, the DTM has 362 undergraduate and graduate students in the program. A significant number of students in the program are transfer students from Valley community colleges, as well as from other majors at ASU.
"With enrollment being on of the primary objectives of the Polytechnic campus, the department name change will better accommodate new technical program offerings," Schildgen said.
Associate professor Jane Humble said it is nice to see the department up and running.
"We are all very happy with the new name," Humble said. "The new name fits our curriculum, and helps our students, parents, and industry representatives understand what our degree programs are all about."
The program has attracted students living all over Arizona by allowing many of them to take courses via the Internet through Extended Education.
"We soon hope to offer Arizona resident tuition to active duty military personnel," Schildgen said.
The program has also attracted some people with invaluable real world experience. People like Frank Navarrete, director of Homeland Security for the state of Arizona, will be teaching a course in homeland security.
Students will be taught subjects focusing on terrorism to weapons of mass destruction.
Charles Kime, who has over 32 years of experience and was the former senior fire chief for the City of Phoenix, will be joining the ASU fire program faculty as well.
"The Fire Service Management program has been very successful and is taught all over the state of Arizona," Schildgen said.
Students will also have more concentrations in Law Enforcement Management and Internet and Web development available to them.
