University units coming together to form the new College of Human Sciences and Education worked this semester to prepare for the school’s kick-off in July.
The new college is a merger of six programs: College of Education, Department of Kinesiology, School of Library and Information Science, University Laboratory School, School of Social Work and School of Human Resource Education and Workforce Development.
The Daily Reveille reported in January that Interim Dean of the College of Education Laura Lindsay was appointed to serve as dean for the new college until a more permanent dean is found. Lindsay, who crafted most of the merger plans, said she will serve through the year-long search for a dean.
Lindsay said what excites her the most about leading the college are the opportunities available, as each unit has an array of talents that come together for the school’s betterment.
The search should begin advertising the dean position in July and receive applications for potential candidates in the fall. Although the search could take more than one fiscal year, Lindsay said she will serve until a dean is found.
“It’s going to give all of the units a sense of stability before we bring in somebody new,” Dean Beth Paskoff of the School of Library and Information Science said of Lindsay appointment to dean.
The units have met throughout the semester to discuss budgets, policies and tenure, among other matters.
Lindsay said the way these matters are handled will stay nearly the same, but some adjustments will be made to fit the new school. A strategic plan will be developed encompassing the school’s goals by July 15, she said.
“I work with a faculty that really cares about the human condition and wants to do something about it. And it is inspiring,” Lindsay said.
Admissions requirements for the college have been changed to require a 2.2 GPA and 24 credit hours. Some programs will still require a 2.5 GPA due to state mandates for students to be certified teachers, Lindsay said.
The college will honor the current catalog’s requirements for the first year, Lindsay said. She said the college will add about 150 undergraduates from child and family studies that recently moved from the College of Agriculture to the School of Social Work.
Both Lindsay and Paskoff agree there will be few changes students will notice because faculty, curriculum and degrees will stay the same.
The main differences, Paskoff said, would be new opportunities for research and the shared use of resources.
The units in the college will bring in three development officers, IT support, a public relations staff member and grant writing programs, which the School of Library and Information Science does not currently have, Paskoff said.
Paskoff said the School of Library and Information Science will bring diversity and a unique program for the state since the University has the only library science school in Louisiana and has a strong national representation.
The School of Library and Information Science will also bring a history of 15 years of offering a degree entirely online, she said.
In March, The Daily Reveille reported Senior Director of Development in the College of Education Wayne Miller led the search for donors to fund scholarships and make endowments. Miller said he would meet with potential donors and find a unit that expressed a mutual desire.
“It’s not going to be one size fits all,” Miller said. “It’s going to be directed at each individual donor or alum’s passion for their college.”
Lindsay said Miller is still fundraising for the school. “We’re bringing together people who have a lot to give to each other,” Lindsay said.
 
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Contact Shannon Roberts at [email protected]