New cabinet: President Victor’s cabinet was photographed in the Sennett Board Room for a Victor profle in Erie’s Business Magazine. Pictured, from left, are Merry Bollheimer, general counsel and vice president for legal afairs; Richard Eplawy, interim vice president for fnance; Jeanette Britt, chief information ofcer; David Dausey, provost and vice president for academic afairs; President Victor; Joseph Howard, vice president for enrollment; Laura Zirkle, vice president for student life; Caleb Pifer, vice president for advancement; and Sister Lisa Mary McCartney, RSM, vice president for mission integration. David Myron later joined the team as vice president for fnance and administration. Victor administration brings sweeping changes in first year New calendar New academic structure In fall 2016 Mercyhurst will adopt a two-semester academic calendar. In fall 2015, all of Mercyhurst’s academic programs – including Each 16-week semester will also be divided into two eight-week mini master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees and certifcates on all terms to add fexibility. Most classes will still last the full 16 weeks, but campuses – were restructured into four colleges, each with a full- some will be contained within a single mini term.
time administrative dean. The sweeping change was among the frst initiatives announced after President Michael Victor took ofce and was designed to streamline operations, improve efciency and ensure
The biggest advantage is that all Mercyhurst campuses and programs can now operate on the same calendar. In the past, as many as a dozen
accountability.
variations were needed to accommodate all our oferings.
The new colleges and their deans are:
Though the calendar no longer includes a J-term, opportunities to study abroad will still be plentiful.
Hafenmaier College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Leanne Roberts, Dean
New core curriculum
Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences
The new REACH Curriculum redefnes the courses that all students take
James Breckenridge, Dean
in addition to their major classes.
Walker College of Business
The acronym REACH refers to fve areas of study that all Mercyhurst students explore: Reason and Faith; Expression and Creativity; Analytical Thinking; Contexts and Systems; and Humans in Connection. Students take two courses from each of these groups. They have to take an English course and a science course with a lab. Beyond that they can choose any 100- or 200-level course. To make sure that they explore the breadth of the liberal arts and sciences, the 10 courses must come from 10 diferent disciplines. Freshmen also take Writing and Research, plus two one-credit courses to help ease the transition from high school to college. Before graduating, students do a senior ethics capstone, and at least one single-credit experience in service learning or civic engagement.
Mary (Missy) Breckenridge, Dean
Zurn College of Natural and Health Sciences Michael Elnitsky, Dean
Administrative departments – such as academic afairs, admissions and
IT – have been consolidated across campuses as well.
New record class
Thanks to strategic investments in admissions and marketing, Mercyhurst expects to welcome the largest class in its history this fall. Despite a shrinking pool of high school graduates in the region, Mercyhurst managed to increase its recruitment without lowering standards; in fact, the Class of 2020 may turn out to be the brightest yet. New fundraising success Mercyhurst recorded an outstanding year, with particular success in major gift activity. Sizable commitments were made, including some from donors having no connection to Mercyhurst other than the fact that they believe in where Mercyhurst is going. Learn more about the past year in fundraising in our Donor Report beginning on page 30. 5
Fewer courses are required (13, instead of the 17 under the old core), giving students more opportunities to explore their passions.
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