FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/27/06 

College now under a Three-School System

In the summer of 2006, Greenville College faced a confluence of growth from programs and students caused officials to restructure the existing system of academic divisions and departments into three schools: the School of Education, the School of Professional Studies and the School of Arts and Sciences.

One catalyst of this new academic structure was the marked growth in the Education Department.  The addition of the Master of Arts in Education (MAE), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Undergraduate Teacher Education Partnership (UTEP) programs necessitated the creation of a School of Education.  When the Illinois State Board of Education reviewed the college’s Education Department in 2005, the state mandated that all education programs be moved under one unit with the same administrative guidance and conceptual framework, or be accredited twice. Previously the master’s and UTEP programs were housed in the Office of Adult and Graduate Studies (OAGS).

The OAGS programs now fit into several different categories. The MAE and MAT programs have been moved to the School of Education while the Greenville College Opportunities in Adult Learning (GOAL), an accelerated bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership, and Master of Arts in Leadership and Ministry (LAMP) programs have moved to the School of Professional Studies. Dead of the new school, formerly dean of Adult and Graduate Studies, Dr. Dave Holden, has also been named associate vice president of strategic initiatives. “I will be working with faculty to look for new program opportunities,” said Dr. Holden.

Under the direction of Dr. Holden, the School of Professional Studies hopes to add graduate programs in the Management Department and the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPR). 

Dr. Ivan Filby, head of the Management Department, is working to create a master’s in Organizational Leadership. “One of the key things businesses are realizing is that management helps to manage ongoing relationships in an organization. However, when an organization needs to be turned around, faces change, or new direction and strategy, it takes a different set of skills,” said Dr. Filby, head of the Management Department. GC’s program will focus on acquiring g the new skills needed for strategic leadership and change. The new program will cater to existing managers with practical professional experience who desire a graduate degree without the analytical and quantitative requirement of an MBA.  Scheduled to begin enrollment in the fall of 2007, the program will offer classes in organizational behavior, change development, legal and ethical modules, financial ratios, as well as human resources management. The target student will be professionals already successful in the business environment seeking to further their education, such as those who have completed the college’s undergraduate GOAL program.

The School of Arts and Sciences continues to serve as a backbone for the college, housing many general education courses, the college’s COR program, as well as other vibrant programs such as Music, the Sciences, Religion, and Communication.  Dr. Dale Martin, dean of the school, plans to add a contemporary edge to current majors and create new interdisciplinary majors. 

Although some change is necessary, the liberal arts tradition is still at the heart of Greenville College.  “We want to do all we can to keep Greenville College unified,” Dr. Randall Bergen, interim vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the faculty stated.  “Changing the governance structure will help maintain the unity that makes GC a special place.”  The College continues to focus on its mission of transforming lives through the liberating arts and sciences.  The Christian identity remains paramount to this goal as students learn the principles of character and service.

CONTACT:    
Christy Grimes ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Greenville College
(618) 664-6515