Spectator journeyed deep into Mudd this month to chat with Donald Goldfarb. He may be the interim dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, but he said he’d be happy to take on the job permanently. Below, some other highlights from the interview, including the fundraising and recruiting the school is doing, study abroad for SEAS students, and the development of the Institute for Data Sciences:

• Although Goldfarb, who was appointed interim dean in July, is not involved directly in the search process for a permanent SEAS dean, he said that he suggested a few search committee members to University Provost John Coatsworth last month. Goldfarb said he’d be honored if he were considered as a candidate. “I would be happy to be a candidate,” he said. “I would hope that the committee would view me favorably. I would hope that the Provost and the President enjoy interacting with me.”
• One of the primary complaints lodged about former dean Feniosky Peña-Mora, who resigned in July, was that he did not understand the atmosphere and operations of the school because he did not have a background at Columbia. While the dean search committee has made the decision to consider both internal and external candidates, Goldfarb acknowledged that the move to any institution is often a difficult one. “Every University is different,” he said. “Every school has its own culture and history. Very often, when you bring someone from the outside, they don’t understand the culture and it’s hard.” More »