Randolph announces new academic programs

Randolph College announced plans to significantly expand its academic offerings this week. The new programs were selected from proposals submitted by faculty earlier in the academic year.

“This is such an exciting time to be at Randolph College,” said Sue Ott Rowlands, president. “These new programs are a testament to the innovation and creativity of our hardworking and talented faculty. Not only that, they show the commitment our community has to providing our students with the academic foundation they need to be prepared for our ever-changing world. Added to our already diverse, challenging curriculum, these new programs provide an array of opportunities for our students that will help them pursue their passions.”

The new programs include the following new majors:

• computer science,
• criminal justice/criminology,
• robotics and mechatronics engineering,
• film and video,
• marine science, and
• integrative studies.

In addition, a master’s degree in museum studies and a low-residency/online Master of Arts in Teaching degree were approved. Randolph will also launch a new honors college as part of this new rollout.

“It has been energizing and awe-inspiring to witness the creativity of our faculty and staff around new academic initiatives,” said Liz Perry-Sizemore ’97, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Their ideas reflect a deep respect for our mission and a keen understanding of the needs and wants of today’s current and prospective students.”

Teams of faculty and staff spent months working together to research new program ideas and develop specific programs. In most cases, the new programs responded to specific interests and requests from current students, alumnae, and alumni.

“In my 10 years here, I’ve never seen so much momentum to provide more opportunities for our students,” added Gary Dop, an English professor, dean of graduate studies and innovation, and head of the M.F.A. in creative writing program.

Some of the programs, including computer science, marine science, and criminal justice/criminology, will be introduced for fall 2023, while others will be introduced over the next two years. The new programming is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

“All of us at Randolph College are committed to providing our students with the best possible education, and we know it is imperative to remain adaptable and flexible in order to respond to what students need to be successful in the world,” Ott Rowlands said. “Whether it’s our TAKE2 curriculum model, which was designed by faculty to better meet the learning needs of our students, the one-on-one attention our professors devote to our students, or these new, creative academic programs, this is a diverse, close-knit community that embraces and encourages innovation in students, faculty, and staff on a daily basis. That’s why we are investing in our institution and expanding what we offer to students.”