We are so excited to welcome two new department heads to the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CNAS).

Dr. Tamera Jahnke, dean of CNAS, welcomes our two new department heads, Drs. Bob Mayanovic of physics, astronomy and material sciences (PAMS) and Ajay Katangur, computer science.

Thank you for all of your hard work

Jahnke wanted to thank our previous department heads who are taking a step back to focus on teaching, service duties and research. These faculty members are Dr. Ken Vollmar, computer science, Dr. Dave Cornelison, PAMS, and Dr. Jorge Rebaza, who teaches math, but stepped into the computer science department when Vollmar stepped down.

“Dr. Vollmar helped provide continued accreditation for computer science and prepare the proposal for the new master’s program in computer science,” Jahnke said. “Dr. Cornelison helped provide focus to PAMS, started STEM SPOTS on KSMU and found unique ways to increase the number of physics BS graduates for Missouri State University.

“Dr. Rebaza, in a one-year transition period, has prepared an important accreditation report and helped the department through their first year of full-time graduate students,” she added.

About Mayanovic

Before taking this position, Mayanovic was a distinguished professor at Missouri State in the PAMS department.

“This is a great opportunity, and I look forward to working collaboratively with everyone in our department and within the university in moving our vision forward,” Mayanovic said.

Mayanovic wants the department to keep growing with greater recruitment and retention.

Strong curriculum is another goal. More than that, he wants it to be flexible, so the department can revise, develop and implement as needed. Another focus is creating an environment that faculty can thrive in and students can excel with a fantastic education.

“Dr. Mayanovic brings a passion for teaching and research in physics and materials science to this new role,” Jahnke said.

About Katangur

Katangur comes to Missouri State from Texas A&M — Corpus Christi. There he was an associate professor of computing sciences.

“I feel excited about getting this opportunity where I can have an everlasting positive impact,” Katangur said.

Katangur wants to consider new options for the department including cyber security and data science to recruit, retain and graduate more students.

Collaboration with others is another goal. He wants the department to collaborate with other departments and other universities. He also wants to increase community and industry engagement, target more federal and industry grants, and increase diversity.

“Dr. Katangur brings a passion for computer science and leading a department,” Jahnke said.  “Dr. Katangur brings experience working with local industry, faculty, students and staff to provide for the workforce needs of the region.”