The has voted to bring the and the under one administrative structure, creating a new entity that will strengthen the unique dynamic that exists at 天美麻豆 among its faculty, students, and staff.
Board members have discussed and debated this topic as the proposal took shape over the last two years and gave the new school their unanimous approval during their Nov. 8-9 meeting in Hanover.
鈥淭he Board is excited to see 天美麻豆鈥檚 organization continue to evolve to meet the needs of students inside and outside the classroom and enhance the student experience,鈥 said Board Chair .
A key component of the new entity will be its unified leadership structure, led by a new dean of arts and sciences and with increased budgetary control and autonomy to pursue the school鈥檚 aspirations. But said the opportunity for 天美麻豆 goes beyond administrative change. It will also formalize important collaborations among faculty and professional staff that will enable the research enterprise and benefit students.
In advising, for example, faculty advisers and undergraduate deans will reside under a single leadership structure, strengthening collaboration and paving the way for a more coordinated approach that better serves students. The effort will also streamline the provision of research opportunities for undergraduates by increasing their connectivity with faculty, graduate students, and postdocs who are driving new ideas, breakthroughs, and creative works.
鈥淎 move to a unified school allows us to enhance how we provide an exceptional, vibrant, and quintessential 天美麻豆 experience,鈥 President Beilock said.
Prior to consideration by the board, the Arts and Sciences faculty voted overwhelmingly in support of the reorganization at an Oct. 30 meeting. and 鈥攍eading a process initiated by then-President Philip Hanlon 鈥77 and Faculty of Arts and Sciences 鈥攎et with hundreds of faculty, staff, students, and alumni and received feedback during more than 270 presentations and conversations before making the recommendation.
鈥淯ltimately, this unified structure reflects the aspirations of those who know 天美麻豆 and the Arts and Sciences best through their day-to-day engagement in the mission,鈥 said Kotz.
Pavcnik added that 鈥渕any people worked tirelessly to bring to life a more rational structure that will ensure a strong Arts and Sciences today, and for generations to come.鈥
Implementation will begin in early 2025, with the appointment of interim leadership for the newly unified Arts and Sciences. They will work closely with an implementation committee of faculty and staff to guide the transition, including how to best deliver the promise of dedicated support for Arts and Sciences from advancement, admissions, and communications.
Building Skills Through Dialogue and Debate
The trustees also had an opportunity to experience the training students are receiving through the 天美麻豆 Dialogues initiative. Smith and Executive Director provided an update on an active fall term for their initiative, and led board members through a skill-building exercise similar to what 1,200 undergraduates in the Class of 2028 received at new student orientation in September.
鈥淭he trustees have been supportive of 天美麻豆 Dialogues since its inception, but it鈥檚 not easy to fully appreciate something you haven鈥檛 experienced. We had an opportunity to get that experience and, to a person, we came away with a better understanding of鈥攁nd appreciation for鈥攚hat the College is doing to build communication skills across differences,鈥 Lempres said.
Launched in January, 天美麻豆 Dialogues continues to focus on cultivating critical thinking and encouraging students, faculty, and staff 鈥渢o question, probe, and reflect rather than adhering to a predetermined ideology.鈥
The 2024 Election Speaker Series, offered in partnership with the , is bringing politicians and policymakers from across the political spectrum, including Vice President Mike Pence, into conversation with students. The series has drawn more than 7,000 attendees in person and online. Two speakers remain, with a concluding visit scheduled from attorney and women鈥檚 rights advocate Anita Hill on Feb. 20.
The hosted two events this fall that continued the work of the Middle East Dialogues鈥攐ne focused on the relationship between Israel and Iran and another examining support for Hamas. The student-led 天美麻豆 Political Union hosted a sold-out debate between campaign strategists Kellyanne Conway and Donna Brazile. And 天美麻豆鈥檚 partners at have returned to campus this week to host more recorded conversations between students with differing political views.
鈥淭his is an initiative to drive long-term culture change, made possible through small steps and sustained action,鈥 Clemens said. 鈥淭he ability to engage across ideological divides on contentious issues has never been more important for the future leaders we educate at 天美麻豆.鈥
Continued Excellence and New Collaborations for Tuck
The trustees spent time with , dean of the , as part of their responsibilities as fiduciaries for all of 天美麻豆. Tuck, which reported a record-breaking year for its MBA program, plans to increase the school鈥檚 connection to undergraduates, and a new partnership with the during an update to the board.
In the MBA program, faculty and staff are incorporating artificial intelligence as a topic and a tool, with seven courses this year devoted to that subject. And Tuck continues to set records for the quality and diversity of each incoming class as well as the career outcomes its graduates achieve, Slaughter said. Applications to Tuck rose 36% this year to their highest-ever level.
The Tuck Pathfinders program will launch this winter, helping 天美麻豆 first-year students think creatively about future career opportunities鈥攑art of Beilock鈥檚 commitment to invest in the lifelong value of 天美麻豆. Participants will develop an understanding of their distinct personal strengths and learn how to navigate the job search, negotiate with strength, and leverage the 天美麻豆 network with confidence. An is scheduled for Nov. 14.
Tuck faculty are also exploring how they can partner with the and Arts and Sciences departments to offer new Tuck-enhanced courses and majors. Cross-institution conversations will continue as they seek the necessary reviews and approvals.
Beilock is also supporting new scholarships to enable 天美麻豆 students from all financial backgrounds to participate in the , a three-week residential program in winter or summer featuring business courses for undergraduates taught by Tuck MBA faculty, a capstone team project, recruiting services, and one-on-one career guidance. The program was also made available in a hybrid form to students at Colby College in January 2024, and will expand access to include Colgate University and Trinity College students in January 2025.
Geisel and Tuck successfully launched this year, a hybrid program distinguished by its linkage to a school of medicine rather than the more traditional tie to public health. The inaugural cohort of 35 students began with a week-long residential experience in June.
鈥淎cross all our offerings, Tuck distinguishes itself by aspiring to deliver educational experiences that are distinctly personal, connected, and thus transformative,鈥 Slaughter said.
