New Jersey Institute of Technology recently named Jamie Payton, chair of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Temple University, to lead its Ying Wu College of Computing as dean, beginning July 1.
Presently the largest college at NJIT, YWCC is a key element of the Newark-based Institution’s drive to become a nexus of innovation under its new strategic plan. Its three departments, Computer Science, Data Science and Informatics, prepare students to enter fields that also are research priorities of NJIT, such as software engineering, cybersecurity, information technology and artificial intelligence.
“Dean Payton will help create and advance a renewed, forward-looking vision for Ying Wu,” NJIT President Teik Lim said. “This vision will build upon our new strategic plan, the college’s strengths and its commitments to student success, impactful research and innovation.”
As dean, Payton will be charged with supporting the 2030 strategic plan by driving enrollment growth; deepening research and curricular partnerships with NJIT’s other colleges; further diversifying the student body, faculty and staff; and managing relationships with alumni, donors and corporations. The hire comes a month after NJIT unveiled a strategic plan that aims to make the university a nexus of innovation to serve the students of the future.
As a chair at Temple, Payton launched new degree programs — including the first online master’s in its College of Science and Technology, in information science and technology — and became a national leader in initiatives that aim to introduce underrepresented students to computing and STEM, including providing K-12 and college students with learning opportunities around AI.
Also at Temple, Payton led the development of a strategic plan to further diversify the pool of students pursuing computer-focused degrees. Core to that plan was an Inclusive Teaching Summit, new mentoring processes and a revision to the peer teaching review process.
“I am thrilled that professor Payton will be joining us as the next dean of the Ying Wu College of Computing,” said NJIT Provost John Pelesko, to whom Payton will report. “Professor Payton brings tremendous leadership experience to the role as well as a major national presence in broadening participation in computing. I look forward to working with her as we write the next chapter in the history of YWCC.”
Payton, who has worked at Temple since 2016, holds three degrees in computer science: a Ph.D. and master’s from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor’s from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma.
