The future-focused plans for Tusculum were the theme of the fall meeting of the Tusculum Board of Trustees, as they approved the transition to university status, as well as a new College of Health Sciences.
Beginning July 1, Tusculum will transition from college to university status.
“The name will officially become Tusculum University in the 2018-2019 academic year,” said Dr. Greg Nelson, chair of the Board of Trustees. “The change will be primarily in regards to status, helping to distinguish Tusculum from the community college programs that have gained widespread attention through initiatives such as Tennessee Promise. However, most of what people know about Tusculum will remain the same.”
A new logo design is underway that will incorporate the change, said Dr. James Hurley, president of Tusculum. “This is necessary to provide a differentiation from community colleges, which today are robust and well-funded, but decidedly different from a four-year baccalaureate program. The change also aligns with our future-focused aspirations of adding additional graduate and doctoral degree programs.”
A team of students, faculty and staff are being assembled to shepherd and charter the new logo and strategic vision. The new logo will be approved and released following the February meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The change to university will allow for strategic structuring of the academic programs currently offered by Tusculum, said Dr. Hurley. This includes the creation of a new College of Health Sciences, also approved at the fall meeting.
According to Dr. Nelson, the decision to transition to university will provide the right structure for new programs being developed, including a School of Optometry and a physician assistant program. The current School of Nursing will also be part of the newly-created College of Health Sciences. In addition to the College of Health Sciences, the structure of Tusculum University will include the three established schools, now changing in name from school to college. These include the College of Education, the College of Business and Technology and the College of Arts and Sciences.
“This is an exciting new time at Tusculum. Our mission has always been to serve the educational needs of our region,” said Dr. Hurley. “These advances are significant steps in providing additional opportunities in Appalachia.”