S. Ann Becker has been named dean of the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology, effective May 10, 2011. As dean, Becker will provide leadership and strategic direction for campus and online programs, which enroll thousands of students. This includes more than 20 associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered 100% online through Florida Tech University Online.

“We are lucky to have a talented pool of administrators and educators at Florida Tech,” Florida Institute of Technology President Anthony J. Catanese said. “I’m pleased to promote Dr. Becker to her new position of responsibility. Her talents and abilities are well-suited in this expanded capacity.”

The former associate dean of research moves to her new role with more than 10 years experience at Florida Tech. Becker was the associate dean of research at the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business for three years, as well as the academic program chair for two years with the undergraduate CIS and MBA IT Management degree programs with Florida Tech University Online. In addition, she is also the director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and New Business Development, and university professor for MIS and Computer Science at Florida Tech.

Prior to Florida Tech, Becker was a professor of Computer Information Systems at Northern Arizona University. She taught at Florida Tech as a professor of Computer Science for four years and American University as a professor in Computer Science and Information Systems for nine years prior to that.

Becker received a Ph.D. in Information Systems and a Master of Science in Information Systems from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Management from the Herberger Business School, St. Cloud State University, Minnesota. She received a graduate certificate in Contract Management from Florida Tech.

Becker has over 100 publications, many of which have been supported by research funding from Texas Instruments, IBM, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). She has been awarded numerous research grants as principal investigator or co-principal investigator. Becker has also been awarded funding for the Florida Tech Women’s Business Center and the Entrepreneurial Training Services (ETS) program.

Becker is an associate editor for the Journal of Database Management and the Journal of Electronic Commerce in Organizations. She also serves on several editorial review boards for information systems journals.

“The opportunities for the students and faculty of the College are remarkable,” said Becker. “I am eager to offer new ideas and energy in my new role as we enter the new academic year.” The previous dean, Dr. Robert Niebuhr, has been promoted to senior vice president for Financial Affairs and chief financial officer.

About Florida Tech
Florida Tech is a regionally accredited university that is world renowned for its distinguished faculty, comprehensive curriculum and unyielding innovation. Florida Tech is ranked a Tier 1 Best National University by U.S. News & World Report. It is also rated by the Fiske Guide to Colleges and named in Barron’s Best Buys in College Education. Founded in 1958, Florida Tech has more than 50,000 alumni. Its main campus is located on 130 subtropical acres in Melbourne, Florida, on the state’s famous Space Coast.

Florida Tech, with the assistance of University Alliance, has one of the largest nationally ranked online programs in the nation with more than 38 of the most sought-after associate’s, bachelor’s and graduate degree programs.

Florida Institute of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degrees.

About University Alliance Online
The University Alliance (UA) facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation’s leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA’s technology and support services, its university partners have surpassed 450,000 online enrollments – making UA the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country. University partners include Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, the University of San Francisco, the University of Vermont, Florida Institute of Technology, The University of Scranton, Jacksonville University and Dominican University.