In the shadows of a university that prides itself on hands-on innovation, the University of Wyoming is preparing a defining moment: naming the inaugural dean of its School of Computing. The three finalists—Junhua Ding, Martin Margala, and Marilyn Wolf—arrive not just with credentials, but with a chance to shape how a new flagship will teach, research, and connect with the state’s tech ambitions. This isn’t a routine faculty appointment. It’s a public audition for leadership at a crossroads where computing education meets practical impact, from industry partnerships to regional workforce development. Personally, I think the choice will reveal as much about the university’s long-term vision as about the candidates’ individual prowess. What makes this moment fascinating is that it’s less about “who” can run a department and more about “how” a school can be a catalyst for Wyoming’s tech ecosystem in the next decade.
Why this matters now
The creation of a School of Computing signals a strategic pivot. Wyoming has long valued engineering and energy expertise, but the digital economy demands a different kind of leadership: interdisciplinary, entrepreneurial, and outward-facing. What this process invites is a test of whether the university can translate strong academic credentials into programs that industry partners actually value, students who leave with employable skills, and a research agenda that tackles real-world problems with visible outcomes. From my perspective, the inaugural dean will set the tone for collaboration with government labs, startups, and regional colleges—an ecosystem-building role as much as an academic one.
Meet the three finalists—and the angles they bring
- Marilyn Wolf (Elmer E. Koch Professor of Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln): A seasoned engineering voice with a deep track record in leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration. What this really suggests is a bet on bridging traditional engineering strengths with computing literacy, showing that software and systems thinking aren’t siloed within computer science but essential across engineering disciplines. What this means for Wyoming is a potential emphasis on applied design, sensors, and embedded systems that align with industry needs. Personally, I think Wolf’s blend of engineering rigor and public-facing scholarship could help the School of Computing become a bridge—between pure research and tangible, regional impact.
- Junhua Ding (Founding Chair and Reinburg Endowed Professor, Data Science, University of North Texas): A founding chair who has built programs from the ground up. What makes this particularly interesting is the emphasis on data science leadership—an arena that promises to connect classrooms with real-time analytics, applied AI, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across departments. This could position Wyoming as a hub where data literacy underpins agriculture, energy, health tech, and public policy. In my view, Ding’s experience as a builder could translate into a nimble, enterprise-friendly model for the school, prioritizing scalable programs and industry-aligned curricula.
- Martin Margala (Professor and Director, School of Computing and Informatics, University of Louisiana-Lafayette): A current dean-level leader who understands academic administration and the demands of growing a computing ecosystem. His profile hints at a balanced approach: strong governance, program development, and outreach. What many people don’t realize is that the success of a new school often hinges on how well it can establish partnerships with local employers and create pathways for students to land internships and jobs. If Margala’s track record includes effective cross-campus collaboration and industry engagement, Wyoming could gain a dean who foregrounds experiential learning and regional relevance.
Public engagement as a central feature
All three finalists will visit the campus and present publicly, with opportunities for questions and informal meets-and-greets. The schedule—on-campus or via Zoom—signals a commitment to transparency and broad input. What this approach really underscores is a wider trend in higher education: leadership selections are increasingly open, participatory moments designed to align institutional ambitions with stakeholder expectations. From my vantage point, the public presentation format invites a constructive scrutiny of each candidate’s vision for community engagement, not just scholarly credentials.
A moment for community input—and why it matters
The provost has opened a confidential channel for campus members to submit evaluations. That openness matters. It acknowledges that a dean isn’t just an administrator but a cultural leader who sets expectations for students, faculty, and industry partners. If you’re part of Wyoming’s tech community, your perspective on how the school should interact with local employers, what kind of research translates into jobs, and how to democratize computing education is not only welcome—it’s essential. In my opinion, this step is as important as the candidates’ interviews because it democratizes the selection process and helps ensure the chosen leader reflects the community’s needs.
What the decision could signal for Wyoming’s future
- A focus on applied computing with direct regional impact: If the school leans into partnerships with local energy, agriculture, and government sectors, the dean could shape a curriculum that blends software engineering with domain expertise, producing graduates who can hit the ground running.
- An emphasis on data-driven decision-making: The data science angle from Ding suggests a curriculum that teaches students to extract value from data, not merely to crunch numbers. This would align with workforce trends toward AI-informed roles across industries.
- A governance-first, industry-connected model: Margala’s leadership experience could translate into a culture of collaboration, transparency, and practical outcomes—qualities that universities increasingly rely on to demonstrate value to taxpayers, students, and employers alike.
Deeper implications and future possibilities
What this selection process makes clear is that the university understands technology education as a living ecosystem, not a classroom silo. The dean’s role extends to fundraising for research centers, shaping startup-friendly policies, and crafting pathways from K-12 to graduate programs that reduce friction for learners entering the field. A thoughtful dean could foster ecosystems where students engage in co-op experiences, participate in industry-sponsored projects, and contribute to regional innovation narratives. If I step back and think about it, the real prize isn’t a dean who can manage a department; it’s a leader who can knit together academic rigor with the practical hunger of Wyoming’s tech economy.
Conclusion: choosing a humane, ambitious path forward
This is more than a selection ritual. It’s a declaration about how Wyoming wants to train its future technologists and how boldly the state can participate in the global computing frontier. Personally, I believe the right choice will demonstrate courage: selecting a dean who can translate cutting-edge ideas into accessible programs, who can attract collaboration with mentors, startups, and industry partners, and who can ensure students leave with not only knowledge but confidence in applying it to real-world problems. If you take a step back and think about it, the inaugural dean will become a living blueprint for how the University of Wyoming envisions computing as a force for regional development and democratic opportunity. This is the moment to back a leader who can cultivate that vision with clarity, empathy, and audacity.
