Dean's Message

Most (if not all) of us have been asked at some point, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Regardless of the response (or lack thereof), it likely reflected a specific occupation based on your interests at the time.  What, then, if the question became “What problem do you want to solve?”  This question invokes a deeper consideration of what’s important to you and where you want to make a difference in the world, rather than a specific job title or career goal.  From a training and education aspect, defining the problem and the path to a solution requires a distinct combination of knowledge and skills, which often include multiple disciplines and schools of thought.  To that end, as Dean of the College of Integrative Studies, I welcome you to an academic unit that embraces collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking as a means to solve some of the worlds most pressing and wicked challenges.

The faculty within the College of Integrative Studies are experts not only in their fields of study, but also in integrative thinking and applied problem solving.  The programs we offer include coursework from across campus, along with select core offerings that provide unique and flexible applications that meet student interests and workforce requirements.  We are dedicated to meeting students where they are by providing unique, flexible, and interdisciplinary learning pathways that support student interests and workforce needs.  From Data Science and applied AI to global tourism and destination development, the College of Integrative Studies allows students from a variety of backgrounds and interests to find a degree path that leads them to a rewarding and meaningful career.

So what problem do you want to solve?  What challenge do you want to address?  Come explore our programs and see how we can help you achieve your goals.

Jamie Dyer, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Integrative Studies