News
Marouane Kessentini's Journey to Dean
August 28, 2024
Most people tend to sleep in on the weekends, but Marouane Kessentini wakes up and is ready for the day at 6:00 a.m. to watch soccer. He’s a big fan of the sport, and due to the time difference, he has to wake up early to catch his favorite teams playing in his home country of Tunisia and across Europe. The remaining part of his weekend is dedicated to his wife and three children. Outside of his passion for soccer, his love for his family means everything to him.
Kessentini’s commitment to family and technology began at a young age. He grew up in a low-income and hard-working family in the country of Tunisia, a small country in the northern part of the continent of Africa that borders the Mediterranean Sea, he learned the value of perseverance early on. As a teenager, he began working at a local tech store. He quickly found his passion and began to reprogram computers and television sets. Determined to learn more, he sought out coding resources online—a challenge in the 1990s. Eventually, he found an online program and spent his free time mastering the basics of coding.
This drive and passion led him to the University of Tunisia where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2006 and a master’s degree in 2008. His dedication propelled him to graduate as one of the top two students in Tunisia in computer science, earning him a scholarship to pursue his doctoral studies abroad. Kessentini received his doctoral degree from the University of Montreal in 2012.
After earning his doctoral degree, Kessentini sought a career that would allow him to continue teaching, researching, and interacting with students.His journey brought him to positions at Oakland University and the University of Michigan’s Dearborn and Flint campuses, where he furthered his passion for education and mentoring. He reflected on his career and shared, “I’m most proud of my students. I have helped graduate 40 doctoral students, many of them are similar to me–a first generation student.” Watching his students build their careers and make their families proud continues to resonate deeply with him, as family remains at the core of his values.
Since joining Grand Valley State University, Kessentini has enjoyed getting to know the community at GVSU and the Greater Grand Rapids area. “I’m impressed by the community turnout; it’s quite unique,” he noted. Kessentini shared that his decision to join GVSU was largely influenced by the faculty, staff, and students he encountered. He is particularly excited about the opportunity to build a brand new college at GVSU. Kessentini is excited to continue bridging the gap between industry and academia, fostering connections that benefit both students and the broader community.
For Marouane Kessentini, the sense of community at GVSU is a reflection of the values he holds dear—family, hard work, and the drive to make a difference.
Article written by Shelby Harrison.