New Programs Coming to GSU!

Our History

When Governors State University was founded in 1969, it was not what you might call a “traditional” college. For one thing, it was an upper-division university, offering courses only at the junior and senior level. According to the GSU web site, it was for people who were continuing their education; usually middle-aged and middle-class adults with jobs and families. The structure of the school reflected the needs of the student body.  Classes offered were usually at night, and the school had competencies instead of grades. It was one of the original “Universities Without Walls”, a program that offered an innovative and flexible approach to obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

Well, times have certainly changed, and so has GSU.  In the fall of 2014, GSU is becoming a traditional four-year college.  That’s right.   Freshmen are coming!  But what do those changes mean for you?  And how has the university prepared to accommodate the new changes?

Governors State University

The Master Plan

It began with a master plan; an academic master plan that is, designed by outgoing  Provost Terry Allison.  This multi-year plan outlines new programs proposed over a period of 6-years.  Over the next several weeks, I will blog about several of the new programs which include certificates, minors, undergraduate and graduate degrees.  I invite you back to my blog over the next several weeks for in-depth coverage of these exciting new program offerings.  You do not want to miss them.

Provost Terry Allison

Three years ago, Dr. Terry Allison gathered a committee consisting of faculty, staff, administration, and students to discuss what would be needed to expand the universities course offerings to make GSU competitive with other universities the size of our school or larger. GSU needed to attract traditional students and maintain its current population.  So the committee members began looking at the program offerings of local competitors. They were also careful to make sure that the plan was consistent with the school's strategic plan, which articulates the university’s core values.  According to Dr. Allison, part of that plan was to continue to build academic excellence, and increase enrollment. “So really, what the Academic Master Plan attempts to do is increase quality and meet our enrollment targets.” said Dr. Allison. But it’s also a blue print, outlining plans for rich programs, hoped to be embraced by new and eager learners.

Dr. Sandra Mayfield

 Program Approval

Getting new programs can be a lengthy process. It has to be approved by faculty, administration, the HLC, board of trustees and finally the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Sometimes it can take up to a year before a program completes the final stage.

Spearheading this process is Dr. Sandra Mayfield, who is one of the associate provosts here at GSU and a professor of Communication Disorders. In addition to serving as vice provost, she also helps coordinate GSU’s Why Not? Campaign.   

GSU's Why Not Campaign

Dr. Mayfield said the university is now more focused on building its undergraduate degrees and general education courses.  And that makes sense with 270 new freshmen coming in the fall of 2014. 

Look out for the new series

Still, new offerings are being unveiled monthly, so we don’t have to wait for the arrival of freshmen to get in on a good thing! And that’s why this series was created.  I want you to know what new or enhanced course offerings are available before they arrive.  There is the chance that it may encourage you to shift your area of study or continue in an area you’ve been exploring. 

So in conclusion Tweaders, stay tuned right here. Remember, starting next week, I will be writing a series of blogs to be posted once a week highlighting one of the new programs. Check back for a look at the new Theater and Performance Studies minor coming in the Fall of 2013. Until then, if you’re not Twaggin’ you’re not Swaggin’.