As a new school year begins, several changes have taken place since the last year.

One of those changes comes the hiring of Charles Wayne Unsell, the new dean of the College of Technology who’s already quite familiar with the area.

Having received his doctorate from the University of Toledo in engineering sciences, Unsell is excited to be back in the Northwest Ohio area.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said.”It’s really nice to be in a small town.”

Unsell said it’s an area he’s become pretty used to.

While serving as dean, Unsell wants to further develop the potential of the college.

“What this college offers is unique in the U.S. with the mix of programs,” he said. “It was an attraction and a challenge.”

His main objective while being dean is to examine what he calls “untapped resources,” by collaborating more with outside industries. He also looking to reshape some of the programs already established through collaboration and engagement.

Before coming to the University, Unsell served as dean of the School of Engineering Technology and Management at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, GA.

Prior to being in Georgia, he spent 18 years at Indiana Univerity-Purdue University Fort Wayne serving as dean of the School of Engineering,Technology and Computer Sciences and director of the Division of Organizational Leadership and Supervision.

He received his master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University.

Over the summer, he said the times were pretty hectic.

He frequently traveling from Georgia to the BGSU campus and making contacts with the interim dean at the time.

“Most of the summer was a transition mode,” he said.

Outside of being an educator, Unsell enjoys his free time with his wife, Sara, being active in the outdoors by backpacking, riding bikes, swimming and running.

Sara, like her husband, enjoys the small town with the big university atmosphere that has become a big part of the BGSU experience.

“Things are easy to find and people are helpful,” she said. “BGSU has more activities and athletics ” I understand theatre and music is pretty good.”

She went on to say her husband really enjoys the dean’s position and loves to be involved with the students.

Charles Spontelli, a Visual Communication and Technology faculty member , is optimistic of the direction the college is heading into with Unsell.

“His opening speech was very motivational,” he said, adding Unsell is good about talking about his general principles and explaining his likes and dislikes.

What he likes most about the new dean is how clear he seemed to be since his hiring.

“The comments that I’ve heard him say seemed very logical,” he said,” It’s very refreshing.”

Out of all the people interviewed for the position, the six people in charge of the hiring said that he was the best for the job, Spontelli said.

Spontelli’s first interaction with the new dean took place before school started at a Toledo Mudhens’ game, where Unsell threw out the opening pitch

“He’s a very good sport,” Spontelli said, “We talked quite a bit and we had similar interests.”

Unsell assured the faculty at his opening speech that there will always be an open-door policy for anyone wanting to talk.

Unsell was given the dean of the college of technology position last May, replacing interim dean Joseph Frizado.