We are thrilled to share some major news from our extended CNRG family, Dr. Ken Russell, Chief Information Officer for the Curran Nanophysics Research Group and adjunct professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Houston, has just been appointed Dean of the School of Business & Innovation at Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina!

Dr. Russell brings with him over two decades of dynamic leadership across education, technology, and entrepreneurship. At UH, in addition to serving as an adjunct, he has been a guest lecturer multiple times, sharing valuable insights on nanotechnology, emerging innovation, and next steps for graduate students in STEM fields. His commitment to student development, experiential learning, and technological transformation has left a lasting impact on CNRG and UH alike.

At Barton College, Dr. Russell will oversee programs ranging from Business Administration to Healthcare Management and a Strategic MBA. He is expected to lead the development of new initiatives in Analytics, AI, and Thoughtful Leadership, bringing his signature blend of visionary strategy and hands-on innovation to the students and faculty of Eastern North Carolina.

From launching innovation labs to mentoring startups, from publishing on enterprise transformation to building future-ready academic programs, Dr. Russell’s professional journey is a testament to thoughtful leadership in action. His latest book, Transact, Transform, Transcend, continues to inspire aspiring leaders across disciplines.

We at CNRG are incredibly proud of Dr. Russell’s next chapter and grateful for the lasting contributions he has made to our group and to the University of Houston.