Dr. Bernie Han: 26 years of IT inspiration

If you have ever had a class with Dr. Bernie Han, you have experienced knowledge, passion and a connection with students that is unsurpassed. In short, Dr. Han’s impact goes far beyond his 26 years as a faculty member in the Department of Business Information Systems. He has been a fixture at the Haworth College of Business, contributing through research, teaching and service in substantial ways.

Serving as the chair for the Department of Business Information Systems from 2003 to 2009, Han led computer information systems faculty in the development of two new academic majors to fulfill workforce demand in the areas of electronic business development and telecommunication information management. He also partnered with faculty in the College of Health and Human Services at WMU to develop an interdisciplinary program in health informatics and information management that integrated information technologies with health care services—an academic major, a University center and four international conferences resulted from his efforts to connect IT and health care professionals.

Han recently reached a pinnacle of intellectual achievement when he earned a highly-competitive Fulbright Specialist Award from the U.S. Department of State. He completed a project at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan that exchanged knowledge and established partnerships benefiting individuals, institutions and communities in the U.S. and Taiwan through educational and research activities in health information technology. Specifically, his project focused on state-of-the-art smart medicine through the application of artificial intelligence and data analytics with real-time data collected by information systems using Internet of Things devices.

For Han, teaching has been his truest calling as an academic. “The most rewarding experience is discovering the hidden talents of students, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and helping them transform into the well-prepared professionals they were destined to be,” he says. Throughout his career, Han has often served as a mentor to students who wish to pursue a Ph.D.

The most important thing that Han hopes to teach all students who take his courses is the importance of applying knowledge and concepts to real-life projects, something he has incorporated into his classes for many years. “As a professor, my job is to coach students. I help them gain new knowledge and provide patient guidance to each student, and then they take the lead. In fact, I have learned a lot from my students over the years.”

Some of Han’s fondest WMU Haworth memories are receiving his department’s Outstanding Service Award for student advising and receiving warm emails from students and alumni with thanks for his teaching or requests for career advice.

Both his fellow faculty and his students always knew they could rely on Han. “Dr. Han has always been a welcome presence in our department,” says Dr. Muhammad Razi, chair of the Department of Business Information Systems. “He never hesitates to extend a helping hand wherever needed. Personally, he has been the best colleague, mentor and friend I could have ever asked for. I will always appreciate the kindness and generosity he showed me and others—working with Dr. Han is one of my career highlights at WMU. We will all miss his infectious energy and can-do attitude.”

In retirement, Han plans to continue his research with college of business faculty. He also plans to expand his family life with his spouse Dr. Jofen Han, a long-time adjunct faculty member in the Department of Business Information Systems. He notes that her sacrifices made his career in the U.S. possible.

“I will continue to be a Bronco all my life and still plan to visit the WMU campus after retirement,” says Han. A Business Bronco for life—there is no more fitting description for Han, who is a mentor to so many.