Colleges Welcome Interdisciplinary Programs

Four long-standing and well-established TCU colleges will welcome interdisciplinary programs to their academic programming this fall. The realignment positions TCU to further strengthen academic excellence, scholarship and student support for disciplines central to TCU’s mission to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in a global community.

Programs previously housed in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS) will move to the following colleges at TCU:

Women & Gender Studies Department (WGST), Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies Department (CRES), African American and Africana Studies (AAAS) and Latinx Studies will move from the SIS to the AddRan College of Liberal Arts, led by Dean Sonja Watson.

The University Life program will move from SIS to the College of Science & Engineering, led by Dean Michael Kruger, where the program will continue to serve all TCU students.

The TCU Idea Factory will move from SIS to the Neeley School of Business, led by Dean Daniel Pullin, where the program will continue to serve all TCU students.

The Interdisciplinary Inquiry major will move from SIS to the College of Education, led by Dean Frank Hernandez, where the major will continue to serve all TCU students.

“We are excited to welcome these important programs into their new college homes, and to continue to foster world-class student support and achievement for all Horned Frogs,” Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, said.

While the School of Interdisciplinary Studies will not continue as a distinct school, all programs and disciplines will continue to broadly serve students campus-wide from their new home colleges. The resources within each program will remain within the program.

“The student experience, academic progression and our mission remain our top priority,” Provost Dahlberg said. “Students enrolled in majors, minors and courses within these educational programs will be welcomed by their respective college dean and  given assurance of seamless academic progression.”

Students in these programs who have questions are encouraged to email Dr. Fran Huckaby, f.huckaby@tcu.edu, who, as former associate dean of SIS, is equipped to direct students to the appropriate person for assistance.

SIS Dean Reginald Wilburn will join Academic Affairs as associate provost for undergraduate affairs, a new position created by repurposing an equivalent vacant position. Dr. Wilburn will provide vital direction and support for undergraduate programs and the Undergraduate Council, and a focus on equitable student success and experience.

SIS Assistant Dean Zoranna Jones will join the College of Science & Engineering as assistant dean and continue to oversee the University Life program in addition to other duties.

Plans to house the WGST and CRES departments within a newly renovated Sadler Hall remain intact. The hall is scheduled for completion later this fall with a move-in time for the spring semester.

“The faculty, staff and administrators of the School for Interdisciplinary Studies have accomplished much in the four years since the school began,” Dahlberg said. “This move will assure that they, and their students, continue to grow, thrive and impact the TCU community in important ways.”