The Fox School of Business’s Department of Management Information Systems was named “a major national player” in a report by a review team that systematically evaluated the department.
The review team included internationally recognized professors from Oklahoma State University and The University of Texas at Austin. The reviewers were selected by Temple University’s Office of the Provost based upon their stature in the MIS discipline. According to the team which submitted a report after evaluating a self-study document and following a two-day site visit: “The MIS department at Temple is one of the best examples of how good leadership and investment can create a stellar program in such a short time.”
According to Jodi Levine Laufgraben, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Assessment and Institutional Research who oversees the review process: “Temple University implemented Periodic Program Review in 2003 and since that time has conducted over 90 reviews. Now in our second cycle, the program review process gives us the opportunity to evaluate the quality of our academic programs while also providing advice on strategic opportunities for further improvement.”
The review team evaluated departmental research performance, noting: “Faculty in MIS at Fox have achieved national reputation and catapulted the MIS department to a very high rank in terms of research publications.”
“I am very grateful to the review team for their comprehensive and positive report,” said Fox School Dean M. Moshe Porat, who decided to form the MIS department in 2000. “It is a great honor to receive accolades for our MIS department from such distinguished scholars representing major national universities.”
The team met students and reviewed the MIS academic programs. “Students in the MIS department at Fox are the major beneficiaries of all the exciting activities and initiatives underway,” the report stated. “These include an innovative curriculum, internships, industry interactions, professional development opportunities, and placements.”
The review team recommended areas for improvement, including hiring more faculty, creating endowed chairs and investing further in analytics. Finally, the review team commended the department for excellent relationships with industry through an active advisory board, innovative research centers and institutes, vibrant professional faculty and visionary, stable, and collaborative departmental leadership.