University Recognizes Faculty Newly Appointed to Named Chairs and Professorships

Tirthankar Ghosh, Ph.D., is excited to be a Charger. A leader in the field of cybersecurity education who joined the University this fall, he’s already been recognized as a leader in the University community.

Recently named the University’s Elder Family Endowed Chair, Dr. Ghosh has nearly two decades of experience in cybersecurity education and research. His work has explored autonomous vehicle security, network anomalies in industrial control systems, and adversary behavior analysis. The author of a book titled “Security by Practice: Exercises in Network Security and Information Assurance,” he serves as an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) program evaluator for cybersecurity and computer science programs.

Dr. Ghosh was among the distinguished educators who were recently recognized as part of a ceremony for faculty newly appointed to named chairs and professorships. University leaders, including Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., interim president, and Nancy Savage, Ph.D., interim provost, lauded them for their commitment to education and their dedication to excellence in their respective fields.

“I’m deeply honored, as this is a huge recognition,” said Dr. Ghosh, who serves as director of the University’s Connecticut Institute of Technology. “I appreciate Dr. Zenger’s and Dr. Savage’s support in getting this recognition. I look forward to advancing the University’s mission and to using my expertise to continue to move us all forward.”

‘An unparalleled educational experience’

One of Dr. Ghosh’s newest colleagues, Adrian Rusu, Ph.D., was also recognized. Dr. Rusu’s more than 20 years in higher education includes serving at public and private institutions, such as Rowan University and Fairfield University. An award-winning educator, he’s an expert on the implementation of engineering clinics, and he has published in leading computer science and engineering education venues.

Dr. Rusu was named the inaugural Alice E. and Michael J. Fischer Teaching Chair in Computer Science. The position was established by Alice Fischer, Ph.D., a 40-year member of the University’s faculty, and her husband, a Yale computer science professor.

“I am excited to join the University of New Haven and to continue Dr. Fisher’s commitment to providing an unparalleled educational experience for computer science students,” said Dr. Rusu.

‘You represent the best of the best’

As part of the ceremony, members of the University also recognized the generous donors whose support makes these critical positions possible. In addition, University leaders also thanked the educators for the pride and passion they have for the University.

“It’s important to pause and remember that the University is a community of scholars,” said Dr. Zenger. “That’s what draws our students. It’s at the core of what we do and who we are. We are celebrating the best of the best. You represent the best of the best in this community of scholars.”

“Collectively, our faculty is one of the most distinguished and influential among its peers in terms of its strength of scholarship,” added Dr. Savage. “Our professors are frequently sought after for their expertise and they are extensively cited in the media regionally, nationally, and internationally. Their impact extends far beyond the classroom, and they are dedicated educators and gifted scholars.”

‘The opportunity to explore with students’

The University community also recognized Kevin Barnes-Ceeney, Ph.D., who was recently awarded the University’s Oskar Schindler Humanities Endowed Professorship. An associate professor and the assistant chair in the Department of Criminal Justice, Dr. Barnes-Ceeney’s research has explored the role of forgiveness in the field of criminal justice. His work has brought him around the world, focusing on the impact of violence and healing in countries such as Rwanda and Jamaica.

Through the professorship, Dr. Barnes-Ceeney plans to develop and teach a new class that will explore how individuals, communities, and countries may heal after extreme violence. He hopes to learn how forgiveness can take on a more central role in restorative processes in the criminal justice system and at the University of New Haven. He’s looking forward to continuing to create opportunities for students to explore these topics in the classroom and through research.

"I'm thankful to my colleagues who came to celebrate me receiving the Oskar Schindler Endowed Professorship,” he said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to explore with students the possibility for healing and forgiveness during my ‘After Violence’ class next semester!"