New academic structure announced beginning fall 2016

School is back in session. This fall, Lees-McRae students and faculty return to classes with a new academic structure in place. Starting this fall, the College will be comprised of four academic units: the School of Arts, Humanities and Education (AHE); the School of Business (BUS); the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences (NUR); and the School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences (NBS).

Previously, the College was in eight divisions, but Provost and Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Todd M. Lidh, presented faculty and administration with a different vision in January of this year. “I felt we needed an academic structure that created some balance across the institution. Last year, we had one school [the May School] and seven academic divisions, and I wondered if we could do it better.” Dr. Lidh met with colleagues and with faculty to work out details of what this new structure might look like, and the consensus was four Schools.

Heading the May School continues to be Dean Dr. Laura Fero, and she is joined at the Dean rank by Dr. Ken Craig in AHE, Ms. Amy Anderson in BUS and Dr. Billy Carver in NBS. The four deans have already begun work on recruitment, program assessment, faculty development, and more.

“I’m very excited with this new leadership team,” said Dr. Lidh. “To a person, they are smart, dedicated and creative, and I know the College will be in good hands with them at the helm.”