School of Integrated Sciences names inaugural interim co-directors

By: Meghan Long, CISE student writer

The School of Integrated Sciences (SIS) is once again exploring the forefront of innovation, this time with the leadership team. Stephanie Stockwell, professor of Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT), and Henry Way, professor of Geography, have new roles in SIS —inaugural, interim co-directors. This new co-director model brings a more diverse structure to this multi-faceted unit—one that will help bolster its cutting-edge programs. 

“We have split the school roughly down the middle,” Stockwell explains. “Henry’s focus is on the Intelligence Analysis and Geography Programs, while my focus is on ISAT,” she says. Stockwell and Way offer administrative oversight for the programs—acting as supervisors and holding budget authority.

The co-directors bring a long-standing working relationship to their new roles—something they are confident will help them to serve better. “We are getting good ideas and better ways to respond by building on each other’s thoughts in creative dialogue,” Way says. “It is fun, fulfilling, and supportive,” Stockwell adds. “I know that if I have a hard issue to manage, Henry is there to help me do it. We validate, reinforce, and challenge one another every day.”

Stockwell and Way are establishing policies and best practices that can create a leadership system that is equitable, collaborative, and sustainable. It is a kind of leadership “experiment” that they hope will help faculty, staff, and students “actualize opportunities” and “find meaning” in the work they do.

The two will serve in these roles until June 2023. “We want to find a better balance between the needs of the programs and the interests of individuals and JMU as a whole,” Way explains. They say they will use “optimism” and “diligence” to guide their decision-making.

Stephanie and Henry have long served as leaders at the university. Bob Kolvoord, Dean of JMU’s College of Integrated Science and Engineering, noted the pair’s rich leadership experience. “Henry and Stephanie bring a wealth of leadership experience and will be critical to helping us develop and operationalize this innovative leadership structure,” says Kolvoord. “I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them.”