Introduction

Dr. Michael Visser is the Interim Dean, Professor of Economics, and prior Chair of the Department of Economics at Sonoma State University (SSU). Professor Visser is a pedagogical innovator who introduced new courses and classroom constructs, including Behavioral and Experimental Economics, not previously offered to SSU students. He also developed short-term study abroad courses to provide students insight to international business environments and practices. In 2015, he was recognized by colleagues across the University with the coveted “Excellence in Teaching” award. Also in 2015, he was appointed to a U.S. delegation of scholars sent by the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) to Cuba in the interest of education, research, and engagement following the easing of restrictions with Cuba by the administration of President Barack Obama.

In addition to his focus on teaching, research, and as Chair of the Department of Economics, Dr. Visser is actively involved in supporting inclusive excellence and student success initiatives on behalf of the School of Business and Economics. Together with a committee of faculty, staff, and administration, their goal is to provide education and activities designed to improve community awareness of the role that culture and ethnicity, including privilege and bias, can play in students’ ability to succeed.