The University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors today approved an academic reorganization that establishes a new College of Education, a new College of Business, and a Division of Professional Development and Regional Engagement.
“This new structure will strengthen the university as a whole,” said Board Rector Nanalou Sauder. “It better serves all UMW students, providing them more opportunity for the future, and it puts us in a stronger position to better serve the regional community,” she said.
“I’m very gratified that the Board approved these changes. They are indicative of our forward thinking and progressive approach to offer a top-flight educational experience for current and future students on both our Fredericksburg and Stafford campuses,” said UMW Acting President Rick Hurley.
The reorganization retains the College of Arts and Sciences and reaffirms its continued prominent and important role at the university while adding the two new colleges. “When the changes go into effect on July 1, they will likely be virtually imperceptible to current students on both campuses,” said Provost Jay Harper. “Degree programs will not change immediately, and students enrolled in all fields of study will be able to complete their chosen degree programs in the majors they have selected. Over time, we see the new colleges and the new division developing innovative program and course offerings that will enrich the UMW experience for future students,” Harper said.
As a result of the restructuring decision, some coursework in business and education formerly offered by the College of Arts and Sciences will shift into the newly established colleges. Likewise, administration of the workforce development programs will shift into either the new colleges or into the newly created Division of Professional Development and Regional Engagement.
The deans of all three colleges will be located on the Fredericksburg campus. The Stafford campus will host satellite offices for the deans of the College of Business and College of Education and will be the headquarters of the Division of Professional Development and Regional Engagement.
The changes are designed to place greater emphasis on the development of the business and education academic programs, increase operating effectiveness and efficiency, enhance the university’s regional services, and provide UMW students with continued high levels of support and quality educational programming. The integration of graduate and undergraduate programs and faculty into the new College of Business and the new College of Education is expected to enhance the academic experiences of students as new programs and areas of study emerge in the coming years.
On July 1, Dr. Richard Finkelstein will assume duties as the new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Larry Penwell will serve as acting Dean of the new College of Business, and a search is expected to be completed soon for the selection of the Dean of the College of Education.
Most non-traditional students, including those enrolled in the Bachelor of Professional Studies program, will be served by the new Division of Professional Development and Regional Engagement. Dr. Meta Braymer will serve as the Division’s new associate provost, providing leadership to its existing programming and exploring new ventures in the pursuit of the University’s renewed focus on regional collaborations and initiatives. The division will manage non-credit training and services that support regional economic development, community collaboration, and professional advancement. The Small Business Development Center headed by Brian Baker, the Center for Professional Development headed by Mark Safferstone, and Advising Services led by Janet Cropp, will all become a part of the new division. The division also will oversee the Bachelor of Professional Studies program as students complete their degree requirements.
“The University of Mary Washington is retiring the name ‘College of Graduate and Professional Studies’ as part of this reorganization, but the courses and services provided on the Stafford campus will continue,” said Hurley.
The College of Graduate and Professional Studies, which opened in 1999, has been highly successful in serving the region. By the May Commencement ceremony, more than 1,650 adults will have earned master’s or bachelor’s degrees after completing programs at the Stafford campus. It has met its mission to offer programs appropriate to the region’s economic development needs and to provide educational opportunities for the personal life-long learning and professional advancement objectives. The operation of CGPS was integral to UMW becoming a university in 2004, and provided the source of the four graduate programs that will provide the foundation for the new colleges.
The Stafford campus will continue to house faculty
offices, library, and administrative services, and it will continue to be the classroom location for many business, education, and professional development courses. It will remain as a key element of the University’s strategic commitment to regional engagement.