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New Schools, Programs Announced
| BY GRETA STEWART & JILL WILSON
Dr. Peter Folliard, inaugural Dean of the School of Music (l) and Dr. Laurie Daily, inaugural Dean of the Sharon Lust School of Education (r)
As Augustana University begins to implement phases of its Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 strategic plan, nearly every element of university life could experience energizing change – especially those opportunities related to academics.
Dr. Colin Irvine, Augustana’s provost and executive vice president, is busy navigating everything from a new academic structure to emerging professional programs.
“It’s exciting,” said Irvine. “We’re engaged in an intentional approach to creating our future, integrating and elevating the liberal arts throughout the institution in ways that are original and sustainable.”
Executing the academic elements of the Viking Bold plan begins with restructuring academic programs into colleges and schools, supported by a strategic plan built upon the university’s core values of Christian, liberal arts, excellence, community and service.
A College of Arts and Sciences is being organized, and all students will take courses housed in this college, including those tied to the core curriculum as well as programs in all three current academic divisions, meaning the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. From there, they will be able to take courses and pursue degrees in other schools – such as Augustana’s new School of Education and School of Music – depending on their degree programs and academic interests.
In April, the university announced Dr. Laurie Daily would serve as the inaugural dean of the Sharon Lust School of Education.
Daily joined Augustana in 2015 as chair of the Education Department. In addition to her position as chair, she has also served as interim associate vice president for Graduate and Continuing Education from 2016-2018. She is continuing her role in supporting Graduate and Continuing Education as the director.
The Sharon Lust School of Education is diverse within itself, with six unique undergraduate majors and two graduate programs. Students can double major within the department for a specialized career or pair up with a major outside of the department to teach secondary education. In addition, the Augie Access program is housed within the School of Education.
“I am honored to be selected as the dean and help launch Phase I of the university’s strategic plan,” says Daily. “Creating a school that will inspire, teach and connect future educators as well as professionals in sign language interpreting and communication disorders, who are deeply committed to the core values of Augustana is such an honor and privilege.”
Some academic departments have become complex enough – such as education – that it makes sense to organize a school around it.
“We looked at a number of models for doing this, with the goal of developing one specific to Augustana that does not create any barriers for students who wish to explore or change paths,” Irvine said. “So, all will come into the College of Arts and Sciences and from there can take one or many courses in the other colleges and schools.”
SCHOOL OF MUSIC ESTABLISHED
A School of Music was established in May and is also now fully operational, with Dr. Peter Folliard serving as the inaugural dean.
Folliard, a New Jersey native, joined Augustana in 2017 as the conductor of the Augustana Orchestra. Folliard is also the visionary behind Augustana’s world-class recording studio, Studio 47, which produces a number of podcasts and recordings.
Augustana University has a long tradition of music making, with 2020 marking the 100th anniversary of the Augustana Choir. Augustana’s music ensembles are comprised of students from every major, with approximately 250 students across campus participating in one or more ensembles.
- DR. COLIN IRVINE
PROVOST & EXECUTIVE VP
With offerings in band, choir, orchestra, jazz, percussion, opera theatre and chamber music ensembles, Augustana provides its students the opportunity to study with world-class faculty in newly renovated facilities including Hamre Recital Hall, the Lillehaug Instrumental Room and the Winden Choral Room.
“We anticipate these schools will elevate the profile of academic programs in the eyes of the region and particularly the way they are appreciated and accessed by members of the Sioux Falls community,” Irvine explained.
CENTER FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS
Irvine is especially energized by Augustana’s new Center for Interdisciplinary Programs, which is being established to coordinate existing and enhance new interdisciplinary offerings.
The center will offer programs such as medical humanities and society, which he said pairs well with programs in healthcare professions such as nursing, biology, business administration, athletic training, philosophy and theology to “complement students’ understanding of health, health care in our culture,
and provide the full range of experiences — from learning about ethics to issues and problems and opportunities associated with health care,” he said. WE BELIEVE Another program that’s part of the interdisciplinary offerings is the environmental studies major that offers graduates the training and skills necessary to help them lead the world towards a more sustainable and resilient future. THESE PROGRAMS BUILD ON Dr. David O’Hara, professor of philosophy and environmental studies and Augustana’s director of sustainability, said, “We view environmental studies as a way to help every student use their talents to make a positive difference in our STRENGTHS THAT ALREADY community. This is about loving our neighbors as ourselves, using every tool at our disposal.” Environmental studies at Augustana will be interdisciplinary as the major will EXIST AT AUGUSTANA...” bring together the tools and perspectives of multiple disciplines, ranging from - DR. COLIN IRVINE environmental chemistry, photography, computer science and anthropology to PROVOST & EXECUTIVE VP environmental philosophy, theology, business and nature writing. Students who choose to study environmental studies at the university will choose a disciplinary focus. The major culminates in a senior thesis and in the completion of a community-oriented practical project that aims to make a positive contribution to the relationships between humans and the environment in our community.
“We’re looking at programs that are distinctive, innovative, financially sound and place-based. We want these programs and the faculty and students who drive them to draw on where we are located and to provide meaningful, transformative experiences in and out of the classroom,” says Irvine.
PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Viking Bold’s academic goals also include establishing new academic programs that will grow enrollment, diversify revenue and address area workforce priorities.
A professional school is planned to prepare students for a specialized field. Augustana is conducting feasibility studies for optometry and dentistry programs.
“Right now, we’re thinking we will end up settling on one, but both are possible. We’re really just beginning,” Irvine said. “We have undertaken initial research studies to identify these two programs as being warranted for further exploration, and in phase one of the strategic plan we’re continuing that investigative process.”
Augustana will be looking at how to partner with area institutions to offer something “decidedly different,” he added. “We’re not planning to add another professional program. We’re instead trying to add a different and unique program that represents the best fit for the community and the university.”
There also are undergraduate programs in biomechanical engineering and forensics being developed.
“We’re working on those this coming year,” Irvine said. “And we’re looking to partner with area hospitals, medical schools and criminology departments in the case of forensics. We believe these programs build on strengths that already exist at Augustana, and we anticipate rolling them out within the three-year time horizon tied to Phase I of our 2030 strategic plan.”
One new professional program – the MBA – has already launched with solid interest from existing undergraduates and professionals in the area seeking to further their education. The first undergraduates in a four-plus-one program began this fall, and the first cohort of two-year MBA students will start a year later in the summer of 2021.
“Because we have such a strong business program and we’re so well situated to offer it in Sioux Falls, it’s always been a priority to add this opportunity,” Irvine said. “Given Augustana’s outstanding reputation for rigor and academic excellence, the response has been very encouraging, but not surprising.”
DPT PROGRAM MOVING FORWARD
A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program also is moving forward, with a director in place and a clinical coordinator being hired in the coming months.
DPT Program Director Dr. Matt Volansky has spent his career leading and navigating change as a lifelong learner. Not only does he have an MBA in healthcare, he just completed his Ph.D. in biomedical informatics involving the application of machine learning within the physical therapy profession.
“The DPT degree is innovative, collaborative and flexible. It will give students an interdisciplinary approach to developing valuable clinical data analysis skills through coursework delivered using a revolutionary hybrid blend of technology and hands-on learning,” says Volansky.
The experiential components of the DPT degree will expand opportunities for social innovation and entrepreneurship, encourage connections with alumni in related fields, and facilitate partnerships across the campus, in the community, and beyond.
Volansky said, “It will ensure that Augustana will be the first choice for many talented, ambitious and diverse prospective students, and it will produce alumni who are prepared to address the health care challenges of tomorrow and embrace lifelong learning.”
As the program continues to come together, clinical options will be offered to students in Sioux Falls, throughout the Upper Great Plains Region, and beyond.
Augustana also will be adding graduate and doctoral-level nursing programs, with emphasis on education, management, acute care and genomics.
“We’re developing those nursing programs in the next year,” Irvine said. “And the genomics piece, in particular, will build on the strengths of our genetic counseling program. n
ACADEMICS OVERALL GOALS: Establish new academic structures and centers that sustain excellence, facilitate growth, and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, learning, and research in order to provide an education of enduring worth; establish new academic programs grounded in the liberal arts that challenge the intellect while responding to the needs and interests of students. These programs will grow enrollment, diversify revenue and address workforce priorities of the local community and region. • Established the Sharon Lust School of Education, with Dr. Laurie
Daily announced as the inaugural dean • Established the School of Music, with Dr. Peter Folliard announced as the inaugural dean • Established the Center for Interdisciplinary Programs and approved two new programs: medical humanities and society, and environmental studies • Developed and approved the curriculum for the Doctorate of
Physical Therapy program, led by Dr. Matthew Volansky • Approved the MBA program, launching this fall with the hiring of inaugural director, Dr. Anissa Goehring
NEXT STEP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Establish the School of Business • Establish the School of Health Professions • Establish distinctive academic programs including 4-year, graduate and 2-year certificate or associate pathways
PHYSICAL CAMPUS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) OVERALL GOALS: Transform the physical campus to include new and enhanced facilities that serve the educational, spiritual and holistic needs of Augustana’s students, faculty and staff, and inspire others in the community who utilize our campus; transform Augustana into a dynamic digital campus through emerging technologies, excellent connectivity, and best practices in cyber security that serve student learning, enable innovative teaching and research, and support the university’s business processes and overall mission. • Developed and approved holistic Campus Master Plan • Established criteria for decision making, setting priorities, and resource allocation to implement the Campus Master Plan • Established sustainability plan, landscape master plan, campus heritage plan and historic preservation management plan • Created redundant connectivity and implemented cybersecurity initiatives
NEXT STEP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Expand faculty exponential mentoring model to strengthen the focus of instructional technology integration • Implement the Canvas learning management system • Adopt a comprehensive university app
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2019-2022 2019-2022
ENROLLMENT & STRATEGIC SCHOLARSHIPS OVERALL GOALS: Enroll 3,000+ undergraduate and graduate students and provide a welcoming and inclusive environment as different backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking encourage learning, acceptance and service; make Augustana’s education more affordable and accessible for more students with innovative scholarship partnerships among alumni and regional organizations while adapting the university business model and operations to ensure financial sustainability. • Developed a comprehensive student recruitment plan to elevate brand awareness and increase enrollment • Established impact scholarships to provide fully expendable annual scholarship support • Celebrated the first graduates of Augustana’s Diversity Advocate
Certification Program
NEXT STEP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Develop and implement a sustainable pricing model • Launch the Virtual Viking remote learning platform to expand digital and hybrid learning opportunities aligned to academic programs • Enhance the support structures around diversity policies, practices and initiatives to reflect institutional commitment to diversity
ATHLETICS OVERALL GOALS: Recruit and retain exceptional student-athletes to maintain academic and athletic excellence and enhance their collegiate experience through academic and wellness support, community engagement, and service opportunities; transition to NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics by December 2020 to provide student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a higher level, elevate the profile of the university, and inspire Sioux Falls to enthusiastically embrace Augustana University as the hometown team by serving the community and integrating our mission with its needs. • Launched student-athlete nutrition program • Created athletic administration internships and programming with an emphasis on identifying female and diverse students • Implemented new A-Club and season ticket structure
NEXT STEP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Seek and receive invitation to Division I multi-sport conference • Centralize and coordinate student health care and performance training • Define Division I championship culture; integrate into athletics’ policy and procedure statements
To learn more aboutViking Bold: The Journey to 2030, and to see the latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold. To learn more aboutViking Bold: The Journey to 2030, and to see the latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold.
