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Pardue to Lead Graduate School

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Posted on July 6, 2017

Bob Lowry

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Dr. J. Harold Pardue, a first-generation college student at the University of South Alabama who graduated in 1989, has been named the new dean of the University鈥檚 Graduate School and associate vice president for academic affairs.

Pardue has been a faculty member in South鈥檚 School of Computing for 17 years, currently serving as professor of information systems, as well as program coordinator of the information systems and technology programs, while also directing the school鈥檚 graduate programs since 2013.

鈥淚 sought this position because it provided me an opportunity to more broadly apply my experience and energy to the University,鈥� Pardue said. 鈥淚 am a data-driven problem solver, facilitator and consensus builder, with leadership experience in management, directing graduate programs and recruiting.鈥�

鈥淗arold Pardue has developed innovative and exciting strategies for our School of Computing graduate programs for a number of years,鈥� said Dr. David Johnson, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淲e are looking forward to him applying his knowledge and enthusiasm to all our graduate programs.鈥�

With nearly 30 years as a Jaguar under his belt, Pardue is well-acquainted with the University, but said he鈥檒l bring a fresh set of ideas to his new position.

鈥淢y vision for the USA Graduate School is for it to be an integral part of the mission, growth and diversity of the University as not only a provider of quality and efficient support services, but most important as an advocate and conduit for the nexus of learning, discovery and the dissemination of knowledge among academic units and programs as reflected in the excellence of scholarship and funding of our faculty and their students,鈥� Pardue said.   

Pardue earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in philosophy from South in 1989 and his master鈥檚 in information systems in 1991, before getting his Ph.D. in information systems from Florida State University in 1996.  After a four-year faculty stint at the University of Minnesota in Duluth, he returned to South in 2000.

鈥淲hat is it about South? It is the people; the people who have been my students, my colleagues, my mentors and my friends. South is my home and I am a Jag!鈥� Pardue said. He will start in his new position on Aug. 15.

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MORE ON PARDUE: Professor Can Write Code ... and Speak Hindi. Dr. Harold Pardue taught himself the native language of northern India by listening to tapes, movies and his students. 

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