FACULTY of ARTS and SCIENCE
OFFICE OF THE DEAN
The Office of the Dean supports the overall strategic goals and administrative activities of the Faculty of Arts and Science. This work includes supporting student success and a meaningful, learner-focused undergraduate experience; the development of academic programs and curriculum; coordination across academic departments on faculty workload and assignment planning, professional development and research; Faculty governance and decision-making; and financial management.
The Dean is responsible for setting strategic direction and has managerial, administrative, and fiscal oversight of the Faculty. The Dean is supported by the Associate Dean, Academic, who provides leadership on academic issues involving both students and faculty, the Associate Dean, Development, who provides leadership on academic initiatives and on relationships with stakeholders beyond the University, and the Associate Dean, Operations, who provides leadership on administrative issues and on matters involving non-faculty employees.
Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Advising is the first stop for academic planning information related to undergraduate study within the Faculty of Arts and Science or for general program information.
Deans
Please make an appointment to meet with the Dean or Associate Deans.
Dr. Melike Schalomon
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science
Professor, Psychology
Room 7-310T, City Centre Campus
780-497-5302
schalomonm@macewan.ca
Dr. Schalomon’s academic background is in behavioural neuroscience. After serving as MacEwan’s inaugural Chair of the Animal Research Ethics Board, Chair of Psychology, and Associate Dean for several years, Dr. Schalomon was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science in 2020. In her decanal role, she provides strategic planning and academic leadership for the Faculty of Arts and Science with respect to governance, administrative structure, financial operations, strategic enrolment management, and infrastructure. Dr. Schalomon guides program and curriculum development across all disciplines encompassed by the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs and ensures compliance with external accreditation bodies and institutional policy. An important aspect of Dr. Schalomon’s work is the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty members. She ensures that faculty members have access to the resources and professional development opportunities they need to excel in their teaching and research and to achieve promotion through the academic ranks. The Dean also plays an important role in external relations and represents the Faculty of Arts and Science with industry partners, alumni, and academic partners of the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Most importantly, Dr. Schalomon’s work focuses on providing academic leadership to build and promote excellence in faculty, staff, and students. She works to ensure that the learning experience for students in the Faculty of Arts and Science is engaging and invigorating, and that students acquire the skills needed to find success after graduation.
Dr. Kevin Friesen
Associate Dean, Operations, Faculty of Arts and Science
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Room 7-310S, City Centre Campus
780-633-3919
friesenk8@macewan.ca
Education
- PhD, Physiology and Cell Biology (Alberta)
- B.Sc., Zoology (Alberta)
Previous Appointments
- Chair, Department of Biological Sciences (MacEwan University)
Areas of Specialization and Scholarly Activity
Dr. Friesen’s research is aimed at understanding arthropod physiology and development. He uses molecular biology tools to answer questions about the biology of ticks. His research considers two general topics: 1) the physiological mechanisms of tick survival under freezing conditions, and 2) the molecular and genetic basis development of tick embryo development. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of tick survival and reproduction and helps explain how tick populations might spread with our changing climate.
Previous Publications
Friesen KJ, Dixon M, and Lysyk, TJ. 2016. Embryo development and morphology of the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Acari: Ixodidae). Journal of Medical Entomology 52 (4): 279-89 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjv193
Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2009. Salivary gland degeneration and vitellogenesis in the ixodid tick Amblyomma hebraeum: Surpassing a critical weight is the prerequisite and detachment from the host is the trigger. Journal of Insect Physiology 55: 936-42.
Seixas A, Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2008. Effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone and haemolymph on oogenesis in the ixodid tick Amblyomma hebraeum. Journal of Insect Physiology 54: 1175-83.
Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2004. Effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone and other hormones on egg development, and identification of a vitellin-binding protein in the ovary of the tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Journal of Insect Physiology 50: 519-529.
Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2003. Cypermethrin inhibits egg development in the ixodid tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 76: 25-35.
Friesen KJ, Suri R, Kaufman WR. 2003. Effects of the avermectin, MK-243, on ovary development and salivary gland degeneration in the ixodid tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 76: 82-90.
Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2002. Quantification of vitellogenesis and its control by 20-hydroxyecdysone in the ixodid tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Journal of Insect Physiology 48(8): 773-782.
Dr. Samuel Mugo
Associate Dean, Development, Faculty of Arts and Science
Professor, Physical Sciences
Room 7-310N, City Centre Campus
780-633-3493
mugos@macewan.ca
Dr. Samuel Mugo holds a PhD (Analytical Chemistry) and postdoctoral training from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Queen’s University, respectively. Mugo is currently a professor in the Department of Physical Sciences, teaching courses in analytical chemistry and industrial chemistry internship. Dr. Mugo’s collaborative interdisciplinary research program which engages MacEwan undergraduate students as knowledge co-creators is focused on developing point-of-need (PON) diagnostic chemical sensors for agri-food, environmental, mental health & wellness monitoring. Mugo is passionate on collaboratively developing knowledge translation ecosystems between the academy and industries and communities, locally, nationally, and internationally.
Mugo's administration history at MacEwan includes appointments as past Interim Chair of Physical Sciences department and Interim Associate Dean, Faculty of Health and Community Studies (FHCS). He is currently the Associate Dean, Development in the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS).
As the Associate Dean, Development, Mugo's responsibilities include: Overseeing and planning academic collaborations with other Schools and Faculties; Collaborating with Faculty Director of Programs and Curricular Planning; Working with departments to plan, facilitate and coordinate diverse applied student opportunities including, field schools, Work Integrated Learning (WIL), Community Service Learning (COSL), among others; Working with FAS Associate Dean, Academic and university international office on international student recruitment and curriculum internationalization; Working with university office of communications on external and community relations initiatives; Supervision of MacEwan staff in FAS.
Dr. Robert Wiznura
Interim Associate Dean, Academic, Faculty of Arts and Science
Associate Professor, English
Room 7-310P, City Centre Campus
780-633-3919
wiznurar@macewan.ca
Education
- PhD, English (British Columbia)
- MA, English (Alberta)
- BA, Philosophy (KU Leuven)
- BA, English (Alberta)
Previous Appointments
- Chair, Bachelor of Arts, General Studies, and Bachelor of Education Transfer (MacEwan University)
- Associate Dean, Students, Faculty of Arts and Science
- Associate Dean, Operations, Faculty of Arts and Science
Areas of Specialization and Scholarly Activity
- Milton, 17th Century literature, Bunyan, Smithsonian Folkways
- Currently completing article on Bunyan's The Holy War and working on a project on Milton's Samson Agonistes.
- "Eve’s dream, Interpretation, and Shifting Paradigms: Books Four and Five of Paradise Lost." Milton Studies 49 (2009): 108-23.
- Teaching and research interests include Bible as literature, Milton, Bunyan, Shakespeare, classics in children’s literature
Associate Decanal Responsibilities
- Hearing student complaints and routing appeals on matters like academic standing, course substitutions, final exam accommodations, transfer credit, and visiting student requests.
- Working with the academic integrity officer and encouraging good student citizenship.