College of Charleston Launches Two New Schools for Enhanced STEM Studies

CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston launches two new schools for enhanced STEM studies

Two new academic schools are coming to the College of Charleston after the board of trustees unanimously approved their creation Friday. The two new schools are the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, and the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. The School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics will be comprised of the Departments of Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics, while the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences will be comprised of the Departments of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Physics and Astronomy.

Enhancing Student Experience

College of Charleston president, Andrew T. Hsu, expressed excitement about organizing the current STEM-related departments into these two new schools, which will enhance the student experience and create more opportunities for strategic partnerships. The university’s 10-year strategic plan aims to foster innovation, and this new organizational structure is a step towards achieving that goal.

Supporting High-Tech Industries

Officials believe that the creation of the new schools will enable the College of Charleston to better serve the community and support the growing high-tech manufacturing and engineering industries in the area. With employment in science and engineering expected to grow by 18.7% in the next 10 years, the new schools are strategically positioned to meet the demand for skilled professionals in these fields.

Interim Dean Appointed

Seth Pritchard will serve as the interim dean of both the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences and the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics. Provost Suzanne Austin announced that the university will conduct a national search for the new dean of the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics to lead the strategic investment in select discipline-related programs.

A Strategic Investment

Provost Austin highlighted that the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics will attract new cohorts of students and bolster enrollments in the university’s traditional liberal arts foundation. The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, on the other hand, aims to provide students with a rigorous scientific education to prepare them to address complex environmental challenges.

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