ACADEMIC UPDATES
UPDATE FROM
Dr . Catherine Faust Dean , College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies
Dr . Catherine Faust
The theme for this academic year is building community and engagement within the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies ( CGUS ). CGUS continues to make progress on the implementation of the strategic plan initiatives focused on retention and academics . Some of the initial retention activities you seen this Fall Quarter include : learning communities developed for degree programs ; internships that extend a student ’ s learning opportunities beyond the classroom setting that integrate knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with a practical application ; integration of career readiness skills and activities into the curriculum ; and service-learning opportunities . The program faculty are extremely busy with curriculum revisions , developing minors in marketing , sport management and psychology , as well as certificate programs .
The LU Academic Master Plan has identified digital communications and criminal justice as future academic programs for CGUS , which are in the developmental phase . Also , the Sport Health Science ( SHS ) Department is looking to bring back the Master of Athletic Training ( MAT ) Program , which will require resubmission for accreditation .
CGUS Associate Dean Dr . Michael Smith has implemented a program to prepare students for graduation and beyond that is called “ Life after Life .” He is collaborating with community partners to create internship opportunities for students to gain valuable skills for the workforce . Some of the other components of this initiative will include guest speakers from business and industry , the military ( careers and scholarships ), research entities and graduate school seminars . A CGUS career fair is planned for late 2023 Spring Quarter .
The Division of Natural Science is now located in the old PAR Center , as this area has been completely renovated with new offices for the faculty . Dr . Saphronia Johnson has partnered with some schools in the Gwinnett County system , conducting leadership development and recruitment activities . Recently , Dr . Andrew McIntosh was awarded a grant to purchase equipment related to his research that focuses on analyzing the musculoskeletal system in vertebrates , with an emphasis on rodents . He is currently integrating these research techniques in the biology research course so that students can produce original research in vertebrate morphology . The Natural Science and Basic Science Departments will be merging into the Division of Health Science effective the 2023 Winter Quarter .
Dr . Thomas Fabisiak has assumed the leadership of our Social Science Division as the new Assistant Dean of Social Sciences . For the last seven years , Dr . Fabisiak has directed the Chillon Project , Life University ’ s initiative to provide college degrees to people impacted by the prison system in Georgia . He is also a founding member of the formation of the Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison , which he now co-leads with Patrick Rodriguez . He has authored successful grant proposals from private foundations and federal agencies and has written and conducted research on topics in the academic study of religion , ethics and higher education in prisons .
The Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology has moved to the Social Science Division . Program coordinator Dr . Stephanie Wakefield has redesigned the curriculum , which focuses on understanding the pressing environmental and social challenges of the 21st century and creating sustainable , resilient solutions . The curriculum takes an interdisciplinary approach that considers the complex relationships between people and their social , technological and ecological environments . Courses bring environmental and social science together with practical , hands-on experience in public policy , entrepreneurship and advocacy .
The Sport Health Science Division is conducting a self-study for the upcoming site visit from the Accreditation of Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics for the programs in the Nutrition Department . During the Fall Quarter , this unit held several learning community activities . The program faculty are also leading a service-learning project with the Warrick Dunn Charities focused on the well-being of families . In December , these families will be on campus working in the nutrition lab with the faculty learning about nutrition for healthy lifestyles and meal prep for the entire family .
The Division of Liberal Studies was honored to have one of its own , Professor Charlie Farmer , receive the 2022 Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award . The award recognizes excellence in classroom instruction and leadership on campus . For his achievements , Mr . Farmer was recognized on October 25 at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce celebration for area educators as the Teacher of the Year for Life University . Also , earlier this year , professors Charlie Farmer and Rebekah Janiak represented Life University at the Marietta High School STEAM and Skilled Trades Career Connect Expo . Finally , Dr . Paula Billups recently presented a workshop through the CETL on Building Trust on Virtual Teams .
40 Alumni . life . edu | 2022