Dr. Mark Bannister Named Dean

Effective July 1, 2009 Dr. Mark Bannister was named Dean of the College of Business and Leadership. Bannister previously served as Chair and Associate Professor of Information Networking and Telecommunications. He held that role since 1999. During that time period, the department grew from 58 undergraduate students to more than 350 undergraduate and graduate students. The department earned distinction as it was named "Undergraduate Program of the Year" designation from the International Telecommunications Education and Research Association in 2008 and was designated by the United States Federal Government as a "Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance" in June 2009. Bannister has received awards for teaching, has published widely, and has served on committees and task forces on economic development and workforce development appointed by four Kansas governors. Previous to serving as Chair of the Department of Information Networking and Telecommunications, Bannister served as the Director of the Docking Institute of Public Affairs. He has consulted for a variety of businesses and governmental entities and is a principal in Bannister Capital Advisors.