When you come to campus, you will be struck by the beauty of our innovative new science building. Formally referred to as the “Science and Technology Complex”, it has been open for business since January, 2025, and has lived up to our expectations in every way. Regardless of the metric used – functionality of the space for teaching or research; quality of student engagement; student use of study areas; or simply overall aesthetics and beauty.  Indeed, the new building has revolutionized our approach to science instruction. The research labs are up and running, and we have relished the ability to host a number of regional STEM meetings and activities in the building, most of which would not have been a good fit for any other space on campus. We have conservatively given 100 tours of the building over the last 12 months, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Please come see it for yourself – we would love to give you a tour.

Our teachers are also innovative in the classroom, with many courses now taught using advanced pedagogical strategies that are aimed at enhancing student success. This includes a peer-mentor intensive strategy to improve student success in gateway Biology classes, and a co-requisite remediation strategy to get students through required Math courses with vastly improved success. Let us show you how these can make a difference in helping you complete your degree to reach your chosen career.

We have a number of new, exciting and innovative programs, including new degrees or concentrations in computer science (including AI and Robotics, Video Game Development, and IT/Cybersecurity), a new Biochemistry concentration within the Chemistry degree, a fully online MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and a new MS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Fall 2025 saw the rollout of a fully online Psychology undergraduate degree (in addition to our face-to-face version), and programs currently under development include a certificate in forensics and new participant programs for our AUMTeach minor (see below).

We believe that the science we teach must reflect the science we do. Going forward, we plan to do an even better job of fostering an environment that provides all students with desired hands-on opportunities to conduct meaningful work in their chosen field.  This includes identifying undergraduate research, internship, externship, co-op or shadowing opportunities, depending on each student’s specific career objectives. It is my goal to identify even more ways to provide financial and administrative support to allow these experiences to happen, as well as assuring appropriate credit for the work performed. This will be an important area of growth in the coming years as the College of Sciences works even harder to prepare our students for STEM workforces in the region and across the globe.

The entrepreneurial spirit to which I am referring encompasses much more than simply taking a new idea public or monetizing a new product.  We are eager to instill within students an adventuresome spirit that encourage new ways of thinking in order to identify solutions to long-standing problems. Indeed, we will be rolling out new initiatives over the next year that will focus on student innovation and collaborative problem solving.

Our undergraduate and graduate students are the life blood of the college and the reason for our existence. We strive to create a learning environment that provides them with the opportunities and skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond. This requires work across disciplines and even across colleges.  As just one example, we are very proud to partner with the College of Education to offer a Secondary STEM Education Minor that allows students from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or Mathematics to receive the information needed to sit for teacher certification, and thus to teach at junior high or high schools and transmit the knowledge they have received as a STEM major to the next generation of scientists.

Ultimately it is clear that learning does not stop at graduation, and in the broadest sense of the word we are all students – students of science, math, computer science or psychology. Allow us to help you reach your goals as you work with us to make this world a better, safer, healthier and more inclusive place to live.