New Chair Spotlight - Ian Walker

October 2024

New Department Chair Spotlight 

Ian Walker

Department Head, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

I am originally from England, though from graduate school onwards I have been in the U.S. My career trajectory has taken me from Texas to South Carolina, and now on to Wyoming as (for the first time) a department Head. I have spent my entire career in the U.S. thus far in Electrical and Computer Engineering departments.

Q. What inspired you to take on the role of department chair?

A. I have a number of good friends and colleagues who have served in the role at various institutions. They have told me how satisfying it has been for them, and how they felt I would be good at the job and very much enjoy it as well. It has been interesting to watch the various chairs (seven of them, through the years!) of my departments, each possessing very a different personality and style, tackle the job. They have all inspired me to follow them, in one way or another.

Q. In your role as department chair, what did you find to be the most surprising or unexpected?

A. It is early days for me so far (less than a month in the role) but the number and variety of things that you are required to view and approve (or not) has been an eye-opener. I assume that aspect gets easier with time and experience in the role – I hope so, anyway!

Q. What are your immediate priorities and goals for your department?

A. My situation is a little unusual in that I am leading an EECS department, which was formed two years ago from merging an ECE departmant with a CS department. So there are quite a few aspects where we are perhaps not yet quite “one department”. Finding the optimal balance between the two at times somewhat disparate disciplines is my first priority. Building a common and positive culture for the group is my main overall goal.
 

Q. What do you believe is the most essential trait for a department chair to possess, and how do you plan to cultivate that trait? 

A. Patience! You are constantly dealing with so many people with differing personalities, perspectives, and needs, all wanting you to help them. Finding the mental space to appreciate their individual viewpoints is, to my mind, critical in being effective and fair in the job.

Q. What do you most look forwared to in participating as an ECEDHA member?

A. Meeting my (now) peers, to share related experiences and hopefully learning from those wiser and more experienced.