Referrals to separate the Early Childhood Studies, the Administrative Credential Certification and the Educational Leadership doctoral programs from the Department of Education will move to President Soraya M. Coley's desk.

The Academic Senate voted 37-0 in favor of the referrals April 11. The move will make way for the formation of the Department of Early Childhood Studies and the Department of Educational Leadership.

"The overarching reason for the reorganization is to better serve students," said ECS Program Coordinator Nancy Hurlbut. "The education department is presently made up of an undergraduate program (ECS), multiple credential programs, multiple master's programs and the only doctoral program on campus. This is an untenable amount of separate units to exist under the same leadership group and for one chair."

According to Hurlbut, the ECS and Educational Leadership programs currently function as independent departments except all approvals and changes need to run through the education department procedures. By allowing the reorganization, petitions and other issues that need independent approvals will be responded to in a more timely fashion since it will not require extra steps.

"I recommended the split, based on models from almost every other state university, to concentrate departmental focus on students' needs," said CEIS Dean Jeff Passe. "With Early Childhood Studies geared toward undergraduates, and Educational Leadership's emphasis on doctoral and master's students, the split allows the remaining education faculty to focus on the credentials and master's programs it offers. Most students will not notice the changes in administrative configuration, but all will benefit from a more efficient and effective operation behind the scenes."

If President Coley approves the referrals, the reorganization is expected to go into effect Fall 2018.

For more information, contact Ashley Jones at 909-869-5370.