CEIS Announces Departments Merging, EWS Move to CLASS

Referrals to merge Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) with the Department of Liberal Studies (LS) and move the Department of Ethnic and Women’s Studies (EWS) to the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences have been approved, and the changes will take effect fall 2022.  

Last year, a proposal was submitted to merge IGE with liberal studies to expand opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and to support and enhance IGE’s strengths and contributions to the university’s mission and goals. Another referral included moving EWS to CLASS based on a recommendation made by the EWS department.

​“The structural changes provide the college with an opportunity to strategically reimagine its programs and organization, to prioritize areas of growth, and to promote its excellent programs, its visibility, and impact,” said CEIS Interim Dean Hend Gilli-Elewy. “Though we are sad to see EWS move, we look forward to our continued collaboration and partnership as we work on joint projects. The IGE/LS merger will create opportunities for increased interdisciplinary and student-centered learning, collaboration and innovative pedagogies.” 

The IGE and liberal studies merger will bring together two programs that have similar approaches to educating students. Although IGE and liberal studies have distinctive interests, they do share a common commitment to liberal arts education, interdisciplinary learning​ and student-centered pedagogy. The merger between the two entities has the potential to enhance collaboration between faculty and increase student enrollment.

“Change is both a loss and opportunity,” said Christina Chavez-Reyes, professor and chair of the Department of Liberal Studies. “Although shifting directions during the pandemic’s uncertainty is challenging, I am proud of IGE and LS faculty for recognizing we can complement and supplement our work to benefit all faculty and students in both programs. I am excited to lead us towards new directions, collaborations, and possibilities that prepare our students to be broadly informed and to apply inclusive approaches when solving real-world problems.”

Under the new merger, IGE’s curriculum ​and course offerings will not be impacted. The program will continue to focus on interdisciplinary and discussion-based approaches to learning about the humanities, social sciences and the arts. IGE will also remain committed to providing an environment that contributes to the academic, civic and personal growth of their students.

“IGE has been working on this merger for the past several months,” said Dennis Quinn, professor and IGE program coordinator. “Now that it is official, I look forward to continuing the work with Liberal Studies Chair Christina Chavez-Reyes and am especially excited to work together with all faculty from both programs on our many synergies and opportunities that will certainly arise.”

For information about IGE, visit www.cpp.edu/ceis/interdisciplinary-general-education.