From the desk of President Leslie K. Guice

Faculty Feature: Dr. Selwyn Ellis: Putting Students First

Oct 7, 2013 | Faculty Feature

SelwynEllisDr. Selwyn Ellis was born and raised in Mississippi.  He earned the BS in Computer Science and Mathematics from Mississippi College.  After graduation, Selwyn remained in Clinton to work as a programmer/analyst at Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance while earning the Master of Business Administration degree. Selwyn came to Louisiana Tech as an Instructor in 1989 while working on Doctor of Business Administration degree.  Upon graduation, Selwyn taught at Mississippi College (2002–2005) and Ouachita Baptist University (1995-1999) before returning to Louisiana Tech.  He is now in his 18th year of teaching at Tech and is loving his job. Selwyn’s passion is teaching.  He teaches students and classes at all levels including the University Seminar for freshmen, Computer Information Systems for undergraduates, MBA for graduate students, and DBA seminars for doctoral students.  His favorite courses are those for the freshmen and graduate students.  Selwyn noted, “The freshmen are so excited to be college students and are so impressionable.   I also love the challenge of teaching our MBA students, especially those professionals in our Executive MBA program.” Selwyn has chaired and been a member of several dissertation committees.  The focus of his research with doctoral students and colleagues includes topics such as Information Privacy, Information Security, and Information Ethics. He is active in the Center for Information Assurance in the College of Business, has published over 25 refereed journal articles, and has presented papers at numerous regional, national, and international meetings. On Selwyn’s effectiveness as a professor, Jake Young, a DBA student, said, “Not only does Dr. Ellis do all that he can to ensure that his students are learning the material, he truly cares about their well-being. From adjusting to college as freshmen to helping them find a job after graduation, Dr. Ellis always puts his students first.” It is not unusual to see Selwyn at recruiting events where he is one of the first to engage Business students and student athletes.  Selwyn has been a very active supporter of all Tech athletic programs as well as in developing relationships with business school alumni and employers. Madeline Kent, a freshman accounting major recalls Selwyn’s impact in recruiting her.  “I met Dr. Ellis on my first tour to Louisiana Tech.  My tour guide was somewhat confused on the times of our activities and my mom and I happened to run into Dr. Ellis. I told him I was interested in majoring in accounting, and he invited us into his office to talk to us about what the College of Business had to offer here at Tech.  He instantly made me feel like this university would be my home for the next several years.  I could tell he made an effort to know every single one of his students on a person level, which I have witnessed in my University Seminar class this quarter, which he teaches.  It is so obvious that he truly cares about his students and makes an effort to help them in any way possible.  I know that if I ever have any problem in the future, he will be the first professor I contact.  If it weren’t for meeting Dr. Ellis when I did, I may not have chosen Louisiana Tech University, and now I know that would have been one of the biggest mistakes of my life.” SelwynEllis&BoysSelwyn is often seen at sporting events and in the community with his three sons, Owen, Davis Glen, and Andrew.  Owen is a sophomore at Ruston High and Davis Glen and Andrew are students at A.E. Phillips. We are pleased that Selwyn left his home in Mississippi to become a Louisiana man.  He has made a difference at Louisiana Tech through his support of the institution and his caring attitude about student success.