University of Dubuque Fosters Student Success, Advances Academic Excellence, and Supports Growth and Innovation Through New Academic Structure

DUBUQUE, Iowa - After several years of significant growth and change, this academic year the University of Dubuque implemented a recalibrated Office of Academic Affairs structure that will enhance both longstanding and new programs. The recalibration moved UD from one seminary, one college, and 17 departments to one seminary, two colleges, and five schools.

"We have seen tremendous growth in aviation, are preparing to launch a new engineering program, are developing a master of science in medical science program, and are undertaking one of the most ambitious initiatives in our University's history with the John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine. At the same time, we continue to strengthen and invest in the longstanding programs that form the foundation of UD. Simply put, living into the ideals of the College of the Future requires an academic structure designed for where we are going, not where we have been. As our programs grow in number, size, complexity, and opportunity, our academic organization must be able to support that growth while keeping our primary focus where it belongs: on our students and their success," said Adam Hoffman, PhD, vice president for academic affairs at UD.

 The recalibrated Office of Academic Affairs includes:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• School of Health and Natural Sciences
• Proposed John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (applicant, seeking accreditation)
• School of Aviation
• School of Business
• School of Engineering and Technology
• University of Dubuque Theological Seminary

"While our organizational structure has changed, our shared purpose has not: providing an excellent, student-centered education and helping our students flourish," Hoffman said. "The student experience is created across the University through countless interactions with faculty and staff. Our recalibrated structure is simply a tool to help us fulfill that purpose even better."

For the past year, faculty and staff across campus have helped reshape the Office of Academic Affairs to provide clearer leadership, stronger collaboration, and increased accountability.

"The recalibration may change how we organize our work, but it does not change what makes UD special, the people," Hoffman said. "One of the most important goals of this work is to allow our faculty to spend more of their time doing what they do best: teaching, mentoring, and building relationships with students that can transform lives. Those relationships are, and always will be, at the heart of the UD experience."

Numerous individuals were appointed to leadership roles including Jeffrey Haverland, EdD, director of assessment and professor of teacher education, as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Randy Warm, MS, associate professor of aviation, as interim dean of the School of Aviation; Rafic Sinno, MBA, associate professor of business, as interim dean of the School of Business; Jodi Prosise, PhD, inaugural director of engineering, as dean of the School of Engineering and Technology; and Debra Stork, PhD, special assistant to the president, as interim dean of Integrated Learning and Innovation Collaborative.

Jeanne Rupert, DO, PhD, will continue to serve as the founding dean and chief academic officer for the proposed John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (applicant, seeking accreditation), and Rev. Beth McCaw, DMin, will remain in service as the dean of the seminary and vice president of the university.

Deans will not only set the vision and direction for their college or school but will also build connections with community partners and monitor student attraction, retention, and graduation. Students will continue towards their degrees with no interruption to their education.