Information Technology Strategy for Excellence
OBR Doctoral Investment Component
Wright State University has a long history of investment
in information technology. This has been evident through doctoral
program development, research performance, strategic plan priorities,
community initiatives, and statewide leadership.
Wright State’s second Ph.D. program was the multidisciplinary
Computer Science and Engineering, authorized by the Ohio Board of
Regents in 1985. Its first degrees were granted in 1990. More recently
established Ph.D. programs in Engineering and in Human Factors and
Industrial/Organizational Psychology also have strong information
technology content and emphasis.
Beginning in 1997 and as a result of an OBR doctoral
program review of computer science, the Computer Science and Engineering
Department began participation in the Priorities in Graduate Education
budget enhancement. Over the short period since its inception, this
investment, augmented by the university, has had a major positive
impact on the performance and visibility of the department, research
activities, and the doctoral program.
Also in 1997, Wright State established the Information
Technology Research Institute (ITRI). With support from the Greater
Dayton IT Alliance, regional industry, the OBR enhancement, and the
university, a major leap forward in sponsored research and interaction
with IT industries has occurred.
Overall, Wright State University will pursue an Information
Technology strategy that will build on current areas of strength and
pursue new opportunities presented by preeminent facilities and statewide
collaborations. An area of current national prominence is human-computer
interaction as evidenced by recent NSF awards exceeding $3 million
and Action and Investment Fund awards exceeding $2 million. A related
area of national recognition is virtual environments reflecting strength
in human-factors psychology and engineering. Areas of opportunity
include data mining facilitated by an NCR donation of a WorldMark
4800 Teradata computer and bioinformatics for which WSU is pursuing
a leadership position based upon a collaborative approach between
computer science and the biomedical sciences. All of these emphases
are strengthened by Wright State’s membership in Internet2 and the
Abilene Network, and support of the OARNet Internet2 Evaluation Center
(ITEC).
In accordance with the intent of the OBR Doctoral Investment
Component, Wright State University will selectively invest in the
Computer Science and Engineering Ph.D. program. Additional faculty
resources, funds to enhance graduate student stipends and faculty
start-up packages will be provided. The environment for recruitment
and retention of talented faculty and graduate students is extremely
competitive nationally.
However, WSU is currently at the edge of breaking into
national recognition in this fast moving field and will move forward
confidently.
The computer science and engineering program will pursue
the following goals:
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Recruit at least two highly competitive new faculty members
in cutting-edge research areas such as human-computer interaction,
data mining, and bioinformatics. Recruit a senior scholar to
fill the vacant position of Regents’ Professor and Director
of ITRI.
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Facilitate the competitiveness of current and new doctoral
faculty by providing increased time for research, talented and
committed graduate students, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Continue to encourage collaboration with other Ohio computer
science doctoral programs.
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