P11
September 2013
A
s
Dr. Michael Mobley
explored the possibility
of joining Grand Canyon
University, he saw the potential for
developing the next generation
of Arizona technology wizards.
The former associate director of Arizona State
University’s Biodesign Institute understood GCU
had yet to develop an engineering program or
computer science curriculum – but he noted the
potential for integrating science and technology
projects through the University’s colleges of Nursing
and Health Care Professions, Arts and Sciences, and
Business. The possibilities seemed limitless.
Mobley recognized the void he and other tech-savvy
GCU staff could help fill through the development
of GCU’s new Center for Integrated Science,
Engineering and Technology. Earlier this year, he was
named executive director of the center with the plan
of helping the University develop an “engineering
mindset” to attract science-minded students.
The idea with the center, known as CISET, is to
take the first step in developing GCU as a premier
Christian university for training in four key academic
areas: science, technology, engineering and math.
“But before that takes place, it’s really laying the
groundwork for what we need both in terms of
introducing new majors and this integration across
multiple disciplines,” said Mobley, who served as
a research and development director at Proctor &
Gamble for more than 20 years, working on brands
such as Crest toothpaste and Ivory soap, before
shifting full time into the academic world.
Mobley also has been published dozens of times
on subjects ranging from quantum mechanics to
“fluoridated hydroxyapatite surfaces” and other
complex scientific trends.
As CISET evolves in its first year, GCU will develop
a bachelor’s degree program in computer science
to launch for the fall of 2014. A bachelor’s degree
program in engineering is expected to be available
in the fall of 2015.
The ultimate goal, according to Mobley and other
staff, is that GCU establish a new college of science,
technology and engineering by 2016.
Science, technology, engineering and math are
known as the “STEM” competencies. Mobley
characterized CISET as a consortium for collaboration
in those academic areas.
By the time GCU launches its computer science
program next year, students likely will be working
through CISET for additional training, internships and
real-world experience in their chosen fields of study.
“We have to be demanding of our students,” Mobley
said. “If they’re not up to the capabilities, we’re not
going to be able to get them placed. It’s not going to
be a soft program from that point of view.
“Having said that, the employers I’ve heard from
believe in the strength of the Christian value
system GCU imparts to its students.”
Dr. Hank Radda
, GCU’s provost, said the
University aims to provide students with the tools
to develop not only traditional math and science
skills, but also how to use research in a timely
manner by helping them develop strong project-
management abilities across various disciplines.
Arts and Sciences Professor
Haley Peebles
, who
oversaw GCU’s dissection course at the campus
cadaver lab for years, and
Maria Quimba
, an
assistant dean for the College of Nursing and
Health Care Professions, will serve as associate
directors of CISET.
Peebles and Quimba will focus on developing a
center called GCU’s Center for Connected Care,
which will function as a center within a center
under CISET.
The concept is to link health care studies with
information technology innovations.
CISET’s focus on connected care could provide
GCU students and staff with more opportunity to
develop new ways of analyzing data from devices
such as insulin pumps or pacemakers, or to figure
out more efficient ways to catalog medical records.
Quimba said she envisioned nursing students
working closely with other GCU students
through CISET to innovate new ways to provide
personalized health care options for patients as
part of a coordinated, interdisciplinary effort.
“Imagine our students taking genetic material,
testing it, identifying actual markers, and then
creating a plan of care for that particular individual,”
Quimba said, “but then taking that information
and working with a mathematician to determine
statistically how significant that value is, then
walking over to an engineer and asking if we can
engineer something to help this person address
an issue, because it’s going to happen. There’s so
much opportunity there.”
■
INNOVATING
from the
INSIDE
– by Michael Ferraresi
Dr. Michael Mobley (left) was named executive director
of GCU’s Center for Integrated Science, Engineering
and Technology. Associate directors Haley Peebles
(right) and Maria Quimba (lower left) will help Mobley
build an “engineering mindset” at the University.
Photos by Darryl Webb
Center for Science,
Engineering and
Technology launches
