The second candidate for dean of the College of Sciences, Edward L. Kick, expressed the importance of good teaching during his open-session interview with faculty and other interested parties on Tuesday.

“Teaching is what, I hope, EIU is about and that is what I’m about too,” he said. “While at the University of Utah, I was named distinguished professor, meaning the best professor at the institution.”

Kick, who chairs the sociology and anthropology department at Middle Tennessee State University, said establishing programs to better teaching quality is very important.

“I believe in mentoring chains,” Kick said, referring to a program in which professors provide advice and assistance to instructors with less experience. “I think it works, and I think it works very well.”

Kick also mentioned the importance of faculty research, but said that he would not intend to change the current mix of teaching and research done by instructors of the science departments.

“Each department sets its own goals,” he said. “Some departments view themselves predominately as teaching departments, others view themselves as teaching and research departments. I don’t think it’s a good idea to come in and change the organizational culture of the departments.”

While supporting his decision not to change the departments’ organizational structure, Kick added, “I have to believe that the strength of this institution is research and scholarship.”

In addition to his current position, Kick has also served as chair of the department of sociology at the University of Utah from 1987 through 1993.

Kick has taught at Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Utah and Indiana University.

He holds a doctorate in sociology from Indiana University, a master’s in sociology from Indiana University and a bachelor’s in in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Kick has also been published in several instructional books, of which he noted, “my track record with publication will tell you where my heart is.”