Restructured academic programs promote student success and cross-disciplinary learning
Alvernia University restructures its current four-college model to a more streamlined three-college model to enhance academic collaboration and enhance student outcomes. The three-college model formally took effect on Aug. 1, 2025.
“At Alvernia, we take great pride in being a nimble, forward-thinking institution—one that meets students where they are and prepares them for where they’re headed,” said Alvernia University President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “Fulfilling that promise requires us to regularly and thoughtfully examine how we are organized—ensuring that our academic programs are not only efficient, but also foster collaboration, innovation and interdisciplinary learning."
Under the new structure, the University will be home to:
- The College of Health Sciences (CHS), comprising programs in athletic training, exercise science, healthcare science in the John and Karen Arnold School of Nursing, building the next generation of highly skilled healthcare practitioners. Patricia Reger, Ph.D. remains the Dean of the College of Health Sciences.
- The College of Innovation, Discovery and Enterprise (CIDE), comprising programs previously offered within three separate colleges, unified in recognition of the inseparable nature of technology and business disciplines. David Shoup, Ph.D. dean of the former College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics will assume leadership of the re-imagined college. The new CIDE now includes all programs in the Header School of Business, John R. Post School of Engineering and all other programs previously in CSTEAM.
- The College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS), which will now include programs in communication and leadership previously housed within the College of Business, Communication and Leadership. Elizabeth Matteo, Ph.D. will remain the Dean of this College.
“We are confident the academic restructuring will not impact students’ day-to-day experiences – students will benefit from the exceptional faculty and staff in intimate and collaborative learning environments,” said Alvernia Senior Vice President and Provost Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D. “We are optimistic that this restructuring will provide more cross-discipline synergies and operations for collaboration.”
As colleges and universities continue to face strong headwinds, Alvernia’s spirit of reinvention and reinvestment has been a point of competitive distinction. In the previous school year alone, Alvernia launched academic programs in Civil Engineering, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Emergency Medicine Management and Cybersecurity. Strategic reinvestments have grown Alvernia’s enrollment in adult-education programs (64% year over year) graduate programs (114% year over year), and its RN-BSN Completion program (50% year over year).
“At Alvernia, reinvention is part of who we are,” said Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “We are committed to continually reflecting, reinvesting, and reimagining what’s possible—so that our students succeed today, and flourish as the ethical leaders our communities will rely on tomorrow.”
