Two new colleges have formed from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, creating new pathways for student and research success — the College of Science and the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences. The colleges’ names are pending approval from the Board of Trustees at its next meeting.
“These two focused colleges allow each to evolve uniquely in ways that best encompass their expertise and strengths,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “The transition supports our strategic plan goals of becoming a top-tier research university and adapting to meet the needs of current and future students.”
Two interim deans have been appointed. John Smail will continue his role of interim dean through June 30, 2024, overseeing the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences. Bernadette Donovan-Merkert has been named interim dean of the College of Science; her term runs through June 30, 2025. Both interim deans are currently in place supporting students, faculty and staff.
“Our students, faculty and staff will continue to benefit from strong and consistent leadership at the helm of both of these colleges,” said Jennifer Troyer, interim provost. “We remain confident in the guidance they will provide.”
The College of Science will house four departments; Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics and Optical Science, and the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences will remain the largest of the colleges on campus.
The academic departments forming the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences are: Africana Studies, Anthropology, Communication Studies, Criminal Justice and Criminology, English, Geography and Earth Sciences, Global Studies, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Languages and Culture Studies, Philosophy, Political Science and Public Administration, Psychological Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies.
The timeline for completion of the initial transition will span the 2023-24 academic year.
The University is in the process of launching a search for the permanent dean of the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences. The search webpage contains a list of the members of the search committee and will be updated throughout the search process to include the position description, application instructions and details about finalists and campus interviews.