Facing an array of challenges and operating with a new strategic plan in place, Dominican University has reorganized its academic offerings with a focus on technology/analytics, health and social services, and “alternative educational pathways,” which translates to career training that will provide specialized certifications and credentials.
The changes, planned over a two-year period, resulted in a consolidation of the university’s four colleges into three areas of focus. The new structure was publicly implemented on July 1.
The process, said President Glena Temple, “has no doubt been time-consuming and disruptive to some. However, the changing landscape of higher education and the demographic cliff requires us to be focused in responding to market needs and constantly evaluating our portfolio of offerings.”
Temple said all colleges face a stiff decline in the projected number of 18-year-olds graduating from Illinois high schools in the coming years. And, she said, while Dominican has seen strong enrollment growth in recent years, “We need to respond to the changing labor market needs and interests of our students to maintain this market position.”
Temple acknowledged that Dominican and many other traditional liberal arts schools have seen a decline in student interest in “traditional humanities disciplines and more toward business, sciences and health-care fields.” However, she said, humanities courses and innovative humanities professors remain integrated into many majors and minors in other fields.
Dr. Mia Hardy, the school’s provost, said, “We think this realignment is really going to allow us to have a different kind of student experience that’s more impactful. We’re looking to create more synergies within some of the areas that are closely aligned. It’s also going to allow faculty within certain disciplines to coalesce.”
As of July 1, the School of Education will be integrated into the Rosary College of Arts, Education, and Sciences. The School of Information Studies and the Brennan School of Business will join the College of Business, Information Studies, and Technology, and the School of Social Work will now be part of the Borra College of Health Sciences.
Hardy said the restructuring is the result of many months of careful research, discussion and collaboration among faculty, staff, university leaders, and the university’s Restructuring Steering Committee.
No majors or minors will be eliminated as a result of the transition from a four-college model to a three colleges. Although the university stopped admitting new theater arts majors and minors in January 2025, Hardy said that decision was separate from the academic restructuring that rolled out on July 1.
“Theater is a major that is on pause at the moment so some reassessment can be done, but that’s separate from this,” she said.
In an email sent to the Dominican community, Hardy formally announced the changes, saying the reorganization of academic programs will “foster greater collaboration across disciplines, better align related academic programs, and streamline our organizational structure for enhanced synergies.”
Under the new model, an associate provost for adult education and special programs position was also created. Bianca Sola-Perkins, who has been the dean of continuing education at Triton College since 2021, will assume the role on July 7. In her new position, Sola-Perkins will focus on enhancing educational opportunities for adult and non-traditional learners and serve as a key collaborator with various university divisions as Dominican continues to create and deliver innovative, accessible and culturally responsive programs.
“It’s an exciting time around Dominican,” Hardy said. “I think faculty, staff, administration and students are really looking forward to seeing what kind of positive energy will come from this change.”