Henderson named first Barrett associate dean at Polytechnic


May 4, 2011

Mark Henderson has been named the first associate dean of Barrett, The Honors College, at the Polytechnic Campus. He was chosen after an open search with a selection committee consisting of each of the deans of colleges at Polytechnic or their representatives.

Henderson is a professor in the College of Technology and Innovation at the Polytechnic campus and has been on the engineering faculty at ASU since 1984.  He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. Download Full Image

Although his early research was in geometric modeling, since 2005 Henderson has published on global design education, design thinking and curriculum development, especially around social entrepreneurship and product design for the developing world.

He is a founding faculty member of the Department of Engineering at the Polytechnic campus and a co-founder of InnovationSpace, a collaboration between the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering and W.P. Carey School of Business. The transdisciplinary research lab teaches students how to develop products that create market value while serving real societal needs and minimizing impacts on the environment.

Henderson is a co-founder of GlobalResolve, a social entrepreneurship program designed to enhance the educational experience for ASU students by involving them in semester-long projects that directly improve the lives of underprivileged people, especially those in under-developed nations. The program works with partners to develop sustainable technologies and programs in the areas of energy, clean water and local economic development.

He also has received the President’s Innovation Award and the Alumni Association Creasman Award.

“The Polytechnic campus now has approximately 65 Barrett students, and is building to a much larger number, with their own future residential spaces,” says Mark Jacobs, dean of Barrett. “The campus will need to offer more honors courses in all the colleges represented there, and sponsor more honors theses. Professor Henderson can work with departments and schools to help that happen.

“He was chosen out of the group of exceptional Polytechnic faculty members who expressed interest in the position because he had more experience with honors students in courses, thesis work and summer abroad trips than the other candidates. I look forward to his leadership.”

For more information on the GlobalResolve program, go to http://globalresolve.asu.edu.">http://globalresolve.asu.edu">http://globalresolve.asu.edu.

Freshman receives governor's volunteer service award


May 4, 2011

Annica Benning, a freshman in Barrett, The Honors College and the W.P. Carey School of Business, received the Governor’s Volunteer Youth Service Award on April 19 for her commitment to fostering understanding between Native American and non-native youth.

Benning wrote “Arizona: Nations and Art” while still in high school as a way to educate the public on Native American art and culture while dispelling stereotypes. Last year, a copy of the book was given to every fourth grade student, school library and public library. Download Full Image

Eleven recipients were honored with the award, which is considered the highest volunteer award in the state. Benning won in the youth category.

“The best thing about volunteering is that everyone can do something, and even the smallest contribution of time and effort can make a world of difference in the lives of others,” said Governor Jan Brewer. “These awards are a token of Arizona’s gratitude to those among us who give of themselves to help others in need.”

Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges based on criteria of need, action, innovation and impact. The winners were honored at a luncheon hosted by the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism in Phoenix.

“I feel it is important to create understanding and promote literacy, as well as community service,” says Benning. “I had no idea, when I began, how doing something for others would completely change my life and how great it would make me feel.”