WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — A transformation of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s academic-school structure will streamline operations and support the long-term strength and stability of the institution.
The cornerstone of the changes, which will be implemented July 1, is a reconfiguration of the academic schools from six to three. The college will realize multiple benefits from this restructuring.
For enrolled students, it offers a more logical grouping of academic majors and programs, and the new structure will enhance opportunities for collaboration and resource-sharing. It also allows the college to market its workforce-responsive programs more effectively to prospective students, and to explain the academic focus of each school more efficiently to key stakeholders and supporters.
The transformation also offers operational and financial advantages. Reducing the number of school offices by half makes more optimal use of finite staff and facility resources.
Additionally, the new structure features school names that better reflect the programmatic instruction taking place within each. The new names are also easier to remember — and communicate — to the college community and general public alike.
“This transformation of our academic schools provides us with a solid foundation moving forward,” said Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour. “It helps us address the significant demographic and operational challenges confronting us and virtually all colleges and universities nationwide. As an institution, we are renowned for being nimble in responding to workforce needs and cues. Transforming our academic structure is a bold but necessary step in the ongoing process of fulfilling our unique educational mission.”
Beginning July 1, the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, the School of Construction & Design Technologies, and the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies will be combined into the School of Engineering Technologies. The dean for this new school will be Bradley M. Webb. His appointment takes effect immediately; he will lead the current School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies until the reconfiguration is implemented. Webb has been serving as an assistant dean for the school since 2015.
The School of Business & Hospitality and the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications will be combined into the School of Business, Arts & Sciences. Sue Kelley will serve as dean for this newly configured school. Kelley has served as dean of the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications since July 2019.
The School of Nursing & Health Sciences remains unchanged, with Sandra L. Richmond continuing to serve as its dean.
All of the schools will have assistant deans who direct specific academic areas.
“As a national leader in applied technologies, Penn College has a rich history of adapting quickly and strategically to meet industry and student needs,” said Michael J. Reed, vice president for academic affairs/provost. “The three-school model will provide increased opportunities for collaboration, innovative problem-solving and resource-sharing as we prepare students to excel in high-demand career fields.”
For more information on academics at Penn College, visit www.pct.edu/academics.
To learn more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education and a special mission affiliate of Penn State, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.