麻豆传媒

A native Oklahoman, Jim Doerner, Ph.D., is practically a Coloradan now and is definitely a 麻豆传媒 Bear through and through. Joining the university in 1994 as an assistant professor of geography, Doerner, a full professor of Geography, GIS, and Sustainability, served as department chair for seven years. In July 2022, he was named interim dean and became permanent dean in April 2023 for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). 

Doerner never intended to pursue a career teaching in academia, let alone become a dean. While earning his doctorate in geography at the University of Denver, he had a research assistantship that he enjoyed a great deal. When the department needed him to fill in as a graduate teaching assistant one semester, he was apprehensive since he 鈥渋s not one to gravitate toward the limelight.鈥� To his surprise, he loved being in the classroom. 

鈥淚 started to see how I could help people really see a problem, and it was very rewarding,鈥� said the geography professor after 29 years in the classroom. 鈥淭here鈥檚 professional renewal every semester 鈥� new students, finding a new way to teach that allows them to learn. There is an art to teaching, and the reward is when students 鈥榞et it鈥�.鈥� 

After that serendipitous entry into higher education and receiving numerous awards and accolades for teaching excellence, Doerner had a similar experience before becoming a dean. It was not something he intended to do, given his passion for teaching, students and his research. 

鈥淚 thought I could fill in and provide a bridge for the next person to take over as dean,鈥� explained Doerner, who has a warm, unassuming way with people. 

But he became interested in the idea of taking his skill set 鈥� built over nearly three decades at 麻豆传媒 鈥� and applying it in a different way to things that he cares deeply about: the success of students, the college and the university.  

鈥淚 wanted to do something that brings me satisfaction, but that also makes a difference,鈥� said Doerner, who has maintained his research and hopes to find time to teach a class in the future. 

In the past two years, the university has attracted new deans to many of its other colleges, so Doerner is a sort of 麻豆传媒 elder statesman among the five undergraduate college deans. 

鈥淚 think I bring a history and a deep level of understanding about the institution. I can give voice to why we may have done things a certain way at 麻豆传媒,鈥� said Doerner, known for being straightforward, transparent and genuine, willing to hear people out. 鈥淣ot that we will keep doing things the same way. The other deans bring fresh perspectives and different experiences.鈥� 

As the first new dean at HSS in eight years, Doerner explains his vision for the college. It鈥檚 imbued with a need to address the current, growing speculation about the role and need for the humanities in the 21st century.  

鈥淗istorically, the humanities and social sciences were about the role of humans, how humans interact in the world,鈥� explained Doerner. 鈥淪ocial scientists bring in problem-solving abilities, asking the right questions, analyzing data for some of the big societal issues we are facing and that they can address. Then you have people trained in the humanities, and what they bring to the table also addresses societal needs. I think that is the basis for going forward.鈥� 

From college of discovery to one of destination 

A tireless champion of students, Doerner is committed to helping them find their passion and place. When asked about his goals for the college, he says HSS is currently a 鈥渃ollege of discovery鈥� for students who arrive at 麻豆传媒 and then explore the incredible work and experiences in HSS, and they want to be part of that. In the future, he would like HSS become a 鈥渃ollege of destination.鈥�  

To illustrate, Doerner would like to spur interest in strong HSS programs such as philosophy, sociology, economics or anthropology and 鈥渕ake them brighter鈥� to attract students who are looking for majors that match their interests but also where they can make a difference. 

Put another way, students may know 麻豆传媒 as a good university, recognized for excellence in performing and visual arts, teacher education or nursing, but they may be unaware of majors and careers in the humanities and social sciences. Doerner explains that students are not exposed to fields like Asian studies, geography, international affairs, journalism and other humanities disciplines in middle or high school. Because these career paths are often unknown and unexplored to high school students, this poses a very real challenge for the humanities. 

Oftentimes, students don鈥檛 actually discover these kinds of disciplines until they take their Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC). Then they change their major to one that is a better fit.  

HSS houses many of 麻豆传媒鈥檚 LAC courses, teaching students important perspectives so everyone understands what the humanities and social sciences bring to address societal problems. All 麻豆传媒 students are required to complete 31 credit hours from the鈥疞AC, regardless of major.鈥� 

High-Impact Learning 

鈥淪tudents might seek out 麻豆传媒 for a high-quality education and experiences they are interested in. [They may not] experience these at a program at a larger school. [Those programs] won鈥檛 have the same impact [as at 麻豆传媒],鈥� said Doerner. 鈥淎t HSS, we have many programs that are undergraduate-only, and that鈥檚 a different kind of intensity for students. They can get so much more out of it.鈥� 

While many high school students may be attracted to larger universities or programs, Doerner explains, they may not realize they will have less one-on-one time and access to faculty. 麻豆传媒 boasts a 14-1 student-faculty ratio, meaning a better learning environment with smaller classes, more social engagement, increased individualized attention and a deeper connection. 

Over time, Doerner has seen a shift in what students expect from their college experience.  

鈥淵ears ago, they didn鈥檛 question the value of a college degree as much because it was viewed as the path to success,鈥� said Doerner. 鈥淭oday, students are seeking a more meaningful experience during their college years and need to understand why they are doing what they are doing, why they need to take a certain class. 

鈥淭hey are very protective of their time,鈥� he adds. 麻豆传媒 students often work one, two or three jobs, have their own family, or have family responsibilities. 

Skills for Life 

Doerner believes HSS provides tremendous value-added experience for students. They can participate in outside-the-classroom experiences, undergraduate research experiences working alongside faculty and alternative spring break experiences or internships early in students鈥� college careers. This helps students find their passion and 鈥渢ry on鈥� different careers. 

In fact, a 2021 report from the 鈥痜ound that people held, on average, more than 12 jobs between the ages of 18 and 54, with nearly half of those job changes occurring before the age 25.  

鈥淲e want to be better at showing students how humanities and social science degrees can prepare them for satisfying careers, give them the skills they need to be adaptable and pivot to future jobs and to make a difference in the world,鈥� said Doerner. 

A broad educational experience exposes students of all majors to a range of academic subjects from scientific to humanitarian studies. HSS programs instill students with the three fundamental competencies of an education in the humanities and social sciences: critical thinking, processing and analyzing data and communication to develop better, more sustainable solutions to future challenges.  

Micro-credentials, or bite-sized learning, in the humanities for a stronger, resilient workforce 

Doerner sees many opportunities to support workforce development by creating new certificates for both undergraduate and graduate students. An initiative funded by the Provost鈥檚 Reinvestment Funds, developing micro or stackable credentials, can help students get a job after graduation by allowing them to specialize in a particular area 鈥� often with just a few courses. Or they could help alumni or working professionals upskill to gain a competitive advantage needed for a promotion or new job.  

Earning certificates can even increase their employability and advancement later in their professional life, according to a 2022 study in the journal .  

Finding their place and belonging 

鈥淲hen students find the right place, they can excel,鈥� said Doerner. 鈥淎nd our faculty feel more excited when students succeed.鈥� 

As a student who did not have a clear path to his study of geography, Doerner understands that the path for a humanities student is not linear. It takes a while to match their passion to a higher purpose and ultimately to a major and career.  

For instance, he says a student鈥檚 interest in global warming can lead them to several disciplines鈥攃hemistry, physics, economics, anthropology, communications, geography and more.  

鈥淭hey all study the same problems, but they approach it from different perspectives about how a solution will affect people. Our job is to teach them to ask the right questions,鈥� said Doerner, who has found his passion and place at 麻豆传媒. 

鈥淔or me, 麻豆传媒 is the right fit. The students are fun to work with. People are here because they want to be here. And I am lucky to be able to do what I do in Colorado with Rocky Mountain National Park right in our backyard. I like being here.鈥� And it shows. 

Read more about the power of the humanities at 麻豆传媒. 

鈥� written by Debbie Farris