Department head plans to devote more time to research, women's needs

The head of one of the largest departments on campus has announced that she will step down at the end of the year.

Olivia Sheng, the head of the management information systems department, said she wants more time to develop research in the college as a regular faculty member.

"I want to provide a research-oriented learning experience," Sheng said.

Sheng has served as department head since 1997, when she returned from a two-year term as an associate professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She originally came to the University of Arizona in 1985.

"We are grateful for what she's accomplished for the department," said Mark Zupan, dean of Eller College of Business and Public Administration.

At 21, Sheng moved to the United States from Taiwan to get her doctorate in computer and information systems at the University of Rochester.

Sheng said growing up in a poor family in Taiwan contributed to her goal-oriented attitude.

"I do whatever it takes to get things done," Sheng said.

Always interested in a teaching career, Sheng took the department head position to help impact its development.

In 1998, Sheng established the first board of advisers in the college. The board collaborates with industries like IBM for faculty support and department funding.

Last fall, the department received a $3 million gift from IBM for data storage capabilities for the college.

With the board of advisers and program development, Sheng has been developing female-student clubs and mentoring female students for more than a year.

"I want to help students and youngsters to develop women's technology," Sheng said.

When the MIS department lost four faculty members in 1998, Sheng worked with colleagues to replace lost faculty and keep the momentum going.

"She has stabilized the department," said Hsinchun Chen, professor in the MIS department.

Right now, the department is in the process of identifying candidates for the top position.

"We hope to set our sights high because of the foundation that Olivia built," Zupan said.

The MIS undergraduate and graduate programs are nationally ranked in the top five by U.S. News and World Report. The department awarded 283 degrees in 1999-2000 - the third highest number in the university.