NAU’s Honors Program has hired a new director with hopes of reinventing the department.

George Gumerman, a former lecturer, teacher and chair of anthropology, has been hired as the program’s director. In this position, Gumerman will develop curriculum and revise the way the Honors Program is managed as it continues to grow. 

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Karen Pugliesi, a staff member involved in the hiring process, said Gumerman’s 16 years of experience at NAU made him the ideal candidate to oversee the program’s revision.

Honors Director George Gumerman hopes to increase student input in the Honors program. - Matt Beaty/ The Lumberjack

“Dr. Gumerman brings a wealth of experience to the task of leading the Honors Program,” Pugliesi said. “The work that he has done bears the hallmarks of his great strengths.”

Having worked as chair of anthropology for the past six years, Gumerman was successful in reinvigorating undergraduate admissions, while also working behind the scenes on student-driven events, including the school’s first Stone Age fair last semester. 

Gumerman was given his first real glimpse of the Honors Program last April at an undergraduate event, where he said the students blew him away. A similar event held later in the year helped invigorate his desire to become part of the program. 

“I was intrigued,” Gumerman said. “It got me pumped up (thinking), ‘this could be a really cool job.’”

After accepting the job, Gumerman began to come up with ideas that he hopes will benefit the Honors Program. One of these ideas called for the creation of a task force. Through the task force, groups would be created that would survey students and faculty about what they deem most important.

“To get resources, you need more (involvement),” Gumerman said. “It needs to come from the NAU community.”

Gumerman also hopes for increased student involvement in extracurricular activities, including internships and study abroad programs. In addition, he would like to see an increase in enrollment in the program for juniors, seniors and international students, who he feels would effectively promote the school.

“If you bring in a strong group of students, it (could) help improve enrollment,” Gumerman said. “It will build the reputation of the university as a whole.”

Glenn Hansen, a senior program coordinator for the Honors Program, said even though Gumerman came up with plans primarily on his own, he is open to other ideas.

“(He is) open to what we have to say, incorporating those ideas and thoughts,” Hansen said. “(It) increases the vision of the program.”

Even with his new job, Gumerman remains a member of the anthropology faculty, where he continues to participate in both school and club meetings. He also plans to teach an Honors anthropology class in the near future. 

Even with these other priorities, Gumerman admits his current focus remains entirely on the future of the Honors Program.

“I like to build programs and take them to new levels,” Gumerman said. “I would love to see (our program) being one of the top honors programs in the nation. We can do that (because) we are so student-centered.”