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Realigning Programs for Impact

To help facilitate the best fit for each academic area:

• Mathematics will be housed in the School of Arts and Sciences
• Speech-Language Pathology transitions to the School of Health Sciences
• Disaster Emergency Management and Health Care Administration move to the School of Business and Leadership
• Communication will be housed in the School of Arts and Sciences
• Additionally, all evening classes (except Social Work) will transition to fully online starting Fall 2025.

Supporting Graduate and Online Learning

• A new Associate Dean of Graduate Studies position will be established to support the growth and coordination of our graduate programs.
• An Associate Dean of Online and Digital Learning will continue to expand and strengthen flexible pathways for today’s learners.
   

General Questions

What will the new structure look like?

���ӽ� will reorganize its five divisions into four schools: 

• School of Health Sciences (formerly Health, Math, and Science)
• School of Business and Leadership (formerly Business, Leadership and Communication)
• School of Education (formerly Education)
• School of Arts and Sciences (a combination of Arts and Humanities + Social Sciences) 

Academic programs will remain housed within these schools, retaining their disciplinary identity and integrity. 

Why were five divisions combined into four schools? What’s the difference between a division and a school?

The move from five divisions to four schools reflects a strategic shift toward a more integrated and future-focused academic structure.  Schools are broad academic units with a clearer identity, stronger external presence, and greater strategic alignment to student needs and workforce trends. 

By forming schools, we are better positioned to:

• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration
• Align academic programs with emerging career pathways
• Support deeper leadership at the dean level
• Communicate our strengths more clearly to students, employers, and accreditors

This streamlined structure also enhances resource coordination and supports our goal of delivering high-impact, career-relevant liberal arts education as outlined in our vision. It positions the college for long-term growth and sustainability. 

Why was the Division of Social Sciences merged with the Division of Arts and Humanities to form the School of Arts and Sciences?

This merger reflects both strategic alignment and practical considerations. Many social science disciplines play a central role in our general education curriculum, making their integration with the liberal arts a natural fit. Bringing the social sciences together with the arts and humanities in the new School of Arts and Sciences strengthens our commitment to a broad-based liberal arts education. It also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and allows us to use resources more effectively in support of inquiry, problem-solving, and preparing students to understand and respond to today’s complex social and cultural dynamics. 

What happens to interdisciplinary programs and minors?

Interdisciplinary programs will be protected and supported. These offerings will either be housed within a school or operate across schools with shared oversight. Faculty involved in these programs will be engaged in decisions about their placement, leadership, and development.

Who will lead each school?

Each school will be led by a Dean, who will report directly to the Provost. These leaders will serve as strategic advocates for their schools, overseeing operations, budgets, academic planning, and cross-departmental coordination.

Will schools or programs lose autonomy under this new structure?

No. The schools will continue to govern curriculum, academic standards, and internal planning. The new structure is designed to enhance support and visibility, not reduce autonomy. Faculty will maintain their own governance practices and academic freedom.

Some schools are smaller than others, so why do they now operate separately with their own dean? 

While some schools may be smaller in size today, their establishment is driven by strategic purpose, not just current enrollment. The college has identified Health Sciences, Online Learning, and Graduate Education as areas of strategic investment and future growth. Creating distinct schools with dedicated deans ensures that each has the leadership capacity, focus, and visibility needed to advance these priorities.

Having separate schools allows us to:

• Accelerate growth in targeted areas
• Build stronger external partnerships and visibility
• Foster innovation aligned with workforce needs
• Provide specialized leadership to support program development and faculty engagement

This structure is about where we’re going, not just where we are today. It sets the stage for long-term expansion, enhanced student outcomes, and mission-aligned excellence. 

Why are all graduate programs being moved into a new School of Graduate Studies?

The creation of a unified School of Graduate Studies is a strategic move to provide focused leadership, streamline operations, and position ���ӽ� for future growth in the graduate space. By bringing all graduate programs together under one umbrella, we ensure they receive the specialized attention and resources needed to thrive in a competitive and rapidly evolving market, necessary for the long-term sustainability of the college. 

An Associate Dean of Graduate Studies will oversee the school, with responsibility for:

• Coordinating academic quality across programs
• Driving marketing and enrollment strategies
• Expanding the portfolio in high-demand fields
• Leading the development of our first doctoral program, anticipated over the next five years

This structure enables us to elevate graduate education as a distinctive pillar of ���ӽ�’s mission, ensuring graduate students receive the focus, innovation, and support they deserve. 

Is this restructuring just a cost-cutting measure? How much money is being saved?

Actually, this restructuring is not about cutting costs; it’s about strategic investment. In fact, it represents a significant financial commitment in faculty and support positions in each of the next three years to ensure ���ӽ�’s future.  

This investment supports:

• The creation of new schools aligned with strategic growth areas
• Expanded leadership capacity to drive innovation and student success
• Enhanced support for faculty and academic programs
• Stronger integration of advising, career services, and experiential learning
• A more responsive and scalable model to serve our growing graduate and online populations

This restructuring is designed to ensure that ���ӽ� doesn’t just adapt to change, but leads it. We are choosing to grow with purpose, not shrink out of fear. 

How will budgets be affected by the restructuring of schools and programs?

As part of the restructuring, school budgets will be adjusted based on a reallocation of existing resources tied to academic programs and services. This is not a cost-cutting exercise, but rather a realignment to ensure that funding follows function and supports the new academic structure effectively. The budget reallocation process will be completed during the fall semester, with input from academic leadership to ensure accuracy and transparency. Deans will continue to manage these budgets in consultation with program chairs and the Provost’s Office. Importantly, the net result will not reduce the total amount available for academic budget requests. Instead, we are distributing resources in a way that better reflects program needs, enrollment trends, and strategic priorities, supporting our shared commitment to excellence and growth.

When does the restructuring take effect?

The new organizational structure is effective August 12, 2025. Some transitions (e.g., graduate program oversight) will be phased in over time.

Who can I contact with questions or suggestions?

Please reach out to the Office of the Provost or your Dean. You will also have opportunities to participate in faculty forums, working groups, and planning sessions throughout the 2025–2026 academic year.

Student Questions

Will this change affect my degree requirements?

No. There are no changes to any degree requirements as part of this reorganization.

Do I have a new academic advisor?

No. All students keep the same advisor(s).

Where is my faculty advisor now located?

No faculty or advisors are changing office locations at this time.

Where is my program located in the organization?

Only five programs have changed.  

• Math → School of Arts and Sciences
• Speech Language Pathology → School of Health Sciences
• Disaster Emergency Management & Health Care Administration → School of Business and Leadership
• Communication → School of Arts and Sciences 

What is the new School of Health Sciences?

It’s a focused initiative to expand programs that address healthcare workforce needs. It currently houses Speech Language Pathology, Exercise Science, and Public Health, as well as Chemistry, Biology, and Biochemistry, and will grow to include other health programs. We anticipate adding several new health programs over the next three to five years.

Why is Speech-Language Pathology moving from the School of Education to the School of Health Sciences?

Speech-Language Pathology is being moved to the newly established School of Health Sciences to reflect its identity as a healthcare profession and to position it as the foundational program in a growing portfolio of health degrees. It focuses on diagnosing and treating communication and swallowing disorders, which places it firmly within the health sciences and career pathways that are increasingly aligned with the broader healthcare sector. SLP is licensed and regulated as a clinical health profession in all U.S. states and is eligible for employment in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practices, not just educational settings.

By moving it to Health Sciences, we can:

• Strengthen clinical and interprofessional training opportunities
• Align with national standards and accreditation expectations
• Build clearer pathways to graduate study and professional certification
• Set the stage for future program development in nursing, rehabilitation, and other health fields

This move honors the strength of the existing program while positioning it – and the college – for strategic growth in a high-demand field. 

Why are Disaster Emergency Management and Health Care Administration moving to the School of Business and Leadership?

These two programs are being realigned to the School of Business and Leadership to reflect the core competencies and career demands of their respective fields. Both Disaster Emergency Management and Health Care Administration require a strong foundation in leadership, project management, human resources, technology, legal compliance, and finance, all of which are central to a business curriculum.

By housing them in the School of Business and Leadership, we can:

• Leverage faculty expertise across aligned disciplines
• Strengthen interdisciplinary connections among management-focused programs
• Offer students a clearer path to various leadership roles in complex, high-stakes environments
• Enhance employer partnerships and applied learning opportunities

This move reflects our strategic goal of preparing students for leadership across sectors and positions these programs for long-term relevance, growth, and impact. 

What happened to the Evening College?

The Evening College has merged with the Online Program to better meet student demand and streamline student support. All advising services and most courses are now accessed through the Office of Online and Digital Learning.

Will student services like advising, tutoring, and career support change?

Yes, but in ways that improve your experience. These services are being integrated under a new Dean of Integrated Learning Services to provide a more powerful, effective, and connected student-focused experience.

What is experiential learning, and how will it affect me?

Experiential learning includes internships, service-learning, simulations, and real-world projects. All degrees will begin to embed more hands-on learning opportunities to better prepare students for careers.