The first of two open sessions with Provost Nolan Atkins took place Thursday, October 17, in the Moore Community Room. The room was set for well over 50 people, yet, four students turned up. Upon arriving, Atkins glanced the room and without hesitation, pushed the tables aside and sat with us. That’s right–no microphone or podium was needed because Atkins wasn’t just there to deliver academic updates. He was there to hear from us, the students
We introduced ourselves–in attendance were James McAllister of Global Studies, Karen Fillmore of Early Childhood and Special Education, Rosemary Webb of Atmospheric Sciences, and myself, Sabra Anne, of Psychology and Human Services. Atkins then briefed us on his history with NVU, and more specifically, why he’s here serving our institution.
Atkins is invested. He’s been at NVU, formerly Lyndon State College, for over 22 years. He was part of the Atmospheric Sciences faculty for 18 of those years. He first gained interest in teaching when he was a Teacher’s Assistant in grad school, where it became clear Atkins’ path would take him to a small college. As Atkins put it, “I value the connections you’re able to create in small schools, that’s why I love Lyndon.”
That led us to the next agenda item, the heart of the open sessions: unification, the new four-school model, and what the goals are set with all of these new changes. While the Lyndon campus has 14 academic departments, Johnson has nine. Each department has degree programs that fall within it, such as in Visual Arts where you have degree programs for Animation, Illustration, Graphic Design, and so on.
Atkins points out that these degree programs are not organized together yet still have many similarities, meriting reorganization. One of the reasons to unify is to create a place that is the sum of two great parts that tap into the expertise taking place on both campuses. This system helps promote and facilitate that work. Atkins pointed out that VTC and Castleton have also undergone similar changes and accomplished new school models independently.
So what are we accomplishing? The four main goals are to enhance the student experience academically; promote faculty collaboration, since good ideas happen when you have different faculty talking to each other; reduce the amount of administrative work taking place; and ensure both schools are fiscally sound.
These new four schools help make these goals feasible. Atkins says the individual Business & Leadership, Physical & Life Sciences, Human & Cultural Studies, and Arts & Communication departments have not changed from their original structures and units. This is a form of strategic visionary thinking, which is new to both campuses, and helps move the institution forward academically. Atkins stresses the absolute end goal is to take departments that are similar and work together as one.
As the discussion wrapped up, we students had our chance to ask questions and provide suggestions. McAllister spoke on the recent changes taking place within the Criminal Justice program, highlighting the need for better communication between the administration to the professors. Fillmore stressed the importance of maintaining the security and vitality of the Education programs here at the Lyndon campus. Webb inquired about diplomas, ensuring that campus locations would be designated for the students. I called for more student involvement with academic planning to better include the student perspective as well as their academic needs.
In closing, Atkins shared genuine words of hope, “Unification has been like jumping in the pool, it’s so deep and then, finally, you come up for air. I feel we’re starting to come up and be able to breathe.” It’s clear that the administration needs our voices and brainpower to move forward successfully. Having Atkins take notes, encourage us to speak our minds, and support our ideas makes this academic model programming change inclusive. It gives us the chance to become stakeholders in our future.
With individuals like Atkins driven to ensure we’re provided the most resourceful tools in academia, we may indeed be looking at a bright future. And with that, we students need to be willing to work with the administration in return, too, to ensure the success of our beloved school. As Atkins said, “this will all depend on ability and willingness to learn. We’re all changing, and how we learn and deliver that content changes, too.” Here’s to new ways of learning, thinking, and succeeding!