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New Colleges, New Focus

Georgia Southern University marks a new milestone this semester. Fall 2018 starts the first full academic year for the institution as one comprised of nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah and Hinesville. The University has three new colleges: the College of Arts and Humanities and the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences—which were created from the former College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences—and the Waters College of Health Professions—which is comprised of many of the departments and programs from what was the College of Health and Human Sciences. Here’s a rundown of eight colleges. The ninth college, the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, handles admissions and coordination for all graduate-level programs across the University.

Home to Tomorrow’s Innovators and Entrepreneurs

At the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, tomorrow’s innovators and entrepreneurs are trained. These students are the problem-solvers who will lead America’s fastest-growing career fields.

The College’s undergraduate curricula are highly interdisciplinary, consisting of innovative application-based courses that build upon and encourage collaboration among existing academic programs. We provide an excellent education in the classroom, combined with hands-on learning through laboratories, co-ops, internships and student research.

The College works closely with the University’s Office of Career Services to inform students of job opportunities. Our graduates are in high demand by employers throughout the region—and the world.

The College offers 15 degrees on two campuses in the following academic departments:

  • Civil Engineering and Construction
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

The College offers all degree programs at Georgia Southern’s Statesboro Campus. Georgia Southern’s Engineering program is based on the Statesboro Campus, and will expand its offerings in Savannah.

The Armstrong Campus in Savannah currently offers the B.S. in information technology and B.S. and M.S. in computer science. Also offered is the first three years of the B.S. in mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering. The Armstrong Campus is also home to the Center for Applied Cyber Education, an interdisciplinary center and a leader in cyber education and training.

Tailored programs are offered at the Liberty Campus in Hinesville, Georgia.

 

Creating a College of the Creative Mind

As the College of the Creative Mind, the new College of Arts and Humanities seeks to develop students who have a passion for learning and a desire to understand their world, both past and present. The College promotes high academic performance and empowers students to develop their analytical, creative and communication skills. A pillar of the academic foundation of Georgia Southern University, the College plays a central role in every student’s core of knowledge.

The College was formed from the former College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences on the Statesboro Campus and the former College of Liberal Arts on the Armstrong Campus. Curtis Ricker, who previously served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences from 2012-18, is the founding dean of the College.

Departments in the College include:

  • The Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art
  • Department of Communication Arts
  • Department of Foreign Languages
  • Department of History
  • Department of Literature
  • Department of Music
  • Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • Department of Writing and Linguistics
  • Interdisciplinary Studies, containing the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies bachelor’s degree program.

The College offers more than 20 undergraduate degrees and six graduate degrees with the majority being offered on both the Armstrong and Statesboro campuses.

One of the highlights of the year for the College is the new Interdisciplinary Academic Building. It primarily supports programs in the College of Arts and Humanities as well as several other departments in other colleges. The addition of this new building not only signifies physical growth for the University, but more importantly serves as a means to further student success. The 110,000-square foot building opened in September and houses a variety of academic disciplines including a makerspace workshop and gallery.

The College has a solid reputation as a national contributor to furthering arts and humanities and is committed to preparing each student to be a responsible global citizen.

Applying Theory to Practice

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences is one of the newest colleges among Georgia Southern University’s nine colleges. It offers programs that were part of the former College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences on the Statesboro Campus; the School of Human Ecology in the former College of Health and Human Sciences on the Statesboro Campus; part of the former College of Liberal Arts on the Armstrong Campus; and the Department of Psychology from the College of Science and Technology on the Armstrong Campus.

The College is focused on offering students a variety of enriching opportunities that allow them to excel in the classroom and gain practical hands-on experience through challenging research projects, internships, volunteer work or field experiences. Students choose their majors from six academic departments, which include:

  • The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology
  • The Department of Sociology and Anthropology
  • The Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies
  • The Department of Psychology
  • The Department of Political Science and International Studies
  • The School of Human Ecology.

The College offers 13 undergraduate degrees and five graduate degrees including the Doctor of Psychology. The majority of the degree options are offered on both the Armstrong and Statesboro campuses. Students in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences develop time-tested skills and analytical tools in an interdisciplinary community of teacher-scholars. Faculty utilize varieties of social and behavioral research methodologies to enhance societal well-being and the quality of life of individuals, families and communities across diverse environments and contexts. Students learn to apply theory to practice in the cyber forensics lab, archeological field work, child development center, psychology clinic, Model UN and Moot Court among other ongoing programs.

Interim Associate Dean Daniel Skidmore- Hess, Ph.D., adds, “We support experiential learning and encourage our students to seek out programs that allow them to apply their classroom knowledge and skills to real-world situations.” The College is focused on providing students with transformative experiences that extend learning from the classroom to the laboratory, studio and community. “Faculty continue to work on collaborative research projects in the regional area with students and community partners,” stated Interim Associate Dean Brenda Blackwell, Ph.D.

As a result, students develop skills in ethics, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and communication that prepare them for rewarding careers, lifelong learning and engaged global citizenship. Graduates will leave Georgia Southern prepared for careers in a diverse range of fields, from social services, to psychological services, criminal justice, archeology, public service and fashion design.

 

Producing Career-ready Professionals

In November, the Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc. received a $5 million gift for the College of Business from Greg Parker, president, founder and CEO of The Parker Companies in Savannah. The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved the name of the Gregory M. Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University (see page 10).

Within the Parker College of Business, students are involved in various activities that help them to be career-ready upon graduation. Throughout the year, the College offers professional development activities, offering students experiential learning opportunities that give them a competitive advantage when entering the workforce.

During the fall semester, the Parker College of Business hosts Professional Development Day, prior to the Eagle Expo Career Fair. On this day, students attend conference-like sessions on topics ranging from “Steps to a Successful Startup Business,” to “Life as an Auditor,” to “Networking with Purpose,” among many others. Several of the sessions are conducted by Georgia Southern Parker College of Business alumni. Throughout the event, students put into practice networking, leadership and other soft skills they have attained, while employers gain access to Georgia Southern’s best and brightest.

“I learned that there are plenty of opportunities for Parker College of Business students to network,” stated Rachel Yarbrough, junior logistics student. “I was able to network throughout the day, which resulted in several chances to interview with employers days after. The skills taught during Professional Development Day were the skills needed to earn my co-op with Gulfstream.”

The College seeks to produce career ready professionals by offering a broad array of high-quality undergraduate and select graduate programs within a learning environment characterized by inspired teaching, relevant research and meaningful service. We search for new knowledge, both theoretical and practical, and insightful learning opportunities for our students, guided by common values of continuous improvement, excellence, integrity, accountability, respect and sustainability.

To learn more about the College of Business and its programs, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/parker.

Preparing for the Future of Education

The College of Education prepares students to teach, lead, counsel and model lifelong learning. Our students engage in scholarship that provides new pathways to meet the needs of a dynamic, diverse society. The College facilitates access to learning opportunities that are authentic, student-centered and technology-rich.

Historically, the bachelor’s degree in education is the oldest professional degree at Georgia Southern, and from 1924 to 1955, the entire institution focused exclusively on preparing future teachers.

Now, the College offers five undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Education majors preparing students for initial teacher certification.

At the graduate level, the College offers the Master of Arts in Teaching degree with six available concentrations, 13 master of education degrees, eight education specialist degrees and two doctoral degrees.

The College also offers eight certificate opportunities and six graduate-level programs for educators seeking to add an endorsement to their certification.

The College of Education offers degree programs on both Statesboro and Armstrong campuses and online.

The College continues to grow in its national recognition for excellence and innovation in teaching, scholarship and outreach. It has become the choice for novice and experienced professionals desiring a high-quality, flexible education to help them meet their individual intellectual and career goals.

Today, the College prepares future teachers, school psychologists, counselors, school library media specialists, instructional technologists, researchers and leaders through intensive field experiences, cutting-edge technology and research-based instruction.

 

Producing Graduates to Meet Tomorrow’s Challenges

The College of Science and Mathematics is one of the nine colleges that comprise Georgia Southern University.

The College offers undergraduate degree programs on both the Armstrong and Statesboro Campuses and master’s degree programs on the Statesboro Campus through the following departments:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Geology and Geography
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Military Science
  • Physics and Astronomy.

In addition, the College offers courses to meet the University’s general education requirements at the Liberty Campus in Hinesville.

Across the three campuses, the College boasts state-of-the-art teaching and research labs, including those in support of geospatial technology, an aquatics lab, two microscopy suites, a mass spectrometry suite, and additional instrumentation necessary to support our faculty members’ diverse research interests and facilitate their numerous collaborations.

Centers and institutes include the College Office of Undergraduate Research, the James H. Oliver, Jr., Institute for Coastal Plain Science and the FORAM Sustainable Aquaponics Research Center. The College is also home to the Georgia Southern University Planetarium.

Improving Health in Rural America

The Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health strives to improve health, eliminate health disparities and health inequities of rural communities and underserved populations globally. This is achieved through excellence in teaching, public health workforce development, research, scholarship, professional service and community engagement.

This is accomplished by maintaining:

  • Excellence in research, service and instruction
  • Passion for improving the health of rural communities and underserved populations 36 GEORGIA
  • Responsibility for promoting health equity and eliminating health disparities in rural communities and underserved populations
  • Commitment to community involvement
  • Collaboration for problem solving
  • Commitment to developing as a “learning organization.”

The College offers the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH), the Master of Public Health (MPH), and the Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.).

Students pursuing the MPH can concentrate in biostatistics, community health, environmental health, epidemiology, health policy and management, as well as a generalist concentration.

tudents pursuing the Dr.P.H. can concentrate in biostatistics, community health behavior and education, epidemiology, and public health leadership.

The college is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

 

Waters College of Health Professions Debuts in Savannah

The new Waters College of Health Professions houses distinguished, nationally recognized and accredited undergraduate and graduate programs.

The mission of the College is to prepare future health professionals through academic excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration, while advancing knowledge through scholarship and serving culturally diverse communities.

Departments in the College include:

  • Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology
  • School of Nursing
  • Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences.

Providing comprehensive and innovative programs that enhance the health and quality of life for individuals, families and communities, students can study for careers that range from nursing, physical therapy, sports management, physical education, medical laboratory sciences, health sciences, health administration, exercise science, athletic training, nutrition and food science, sports medicine, respiratory therapy, radiologic sciences and communication sciences and disorders. Degree offerings are spread between the Armstrong and Statesboro campuses.

Barry Joyner, Ph.D., who previously served as the dean for the College of Health and Human Sciences since 2015, is founding dean of the new College. The author of over 40 journal articles, numerous abstracts and local/ state/national/international presentations, book chapters and reviews, Joyner has expertise in physical activity, exercise science and teaching/learning.

The College offers 11 bachelor’s degrees, 12 certificate degrees and eight graduate degrees, including a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

The College houses numerous centers including:

  • The RiteCare Center for Communication Disorders
  • Magnolia Coastlands Area Health Education Center
  • Waters College of Health Professions Student Services Center
  • Biodynamics and Human Performance Center
  • Center for Nursing Scholarship and Research.

To facilitate the region’s growing demand for health professionals, the University broke ground in 2017 on a new $22 million facility that will house the College in Savannah. The new building will contain a simulation suite and provide hands-on, team-oriented learning opportunities for students. A major goal is to simulate the environment of a hospital or medical facility. The building is expected to open its doors to students for the spring semester.

Through a generous gift from Don and Cindy Waters, who are both Armstrong alumni, the College was named the Waters College of Health Professions in 2017.