Potter College News
PCAL Announces College Restructuring
- Jessica Luna
- Friday, January 17th, 2025
The Potter College of Arts & Letters (PCAL) at WKU announced on Friday that they will be restructuring themselves over the next three years.
The main structure change will involve transitioning the academic college’s 30 undergraduate programs, 35 undergraduate minors, 17 undergraduate certificates, 5 graduate programs, and 3 graduate certificates that currently reside in eight departments and one school into a streamlined model of four to five schools.
The restructuring process presents exciting opportunities for PCAL which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary during the 2025-2026 academic year. Some of these opportunities include greater financial stability, academic innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and long-term success.
“By restructuring, PCAL would position itself as a leader in innovative education, attracting students, faculty, and external partners who seek dynamic, interdisciplinary environments,” says Dr. Terrance Brown, Dean of PCAL. “It would also signal to prospective students and their families that we are forward-thinking and committed to providing a modern, relevant education.”
This is not the first time the college has merged departments or units into schools. In 2022, the former School of Media and Department of Communication successfully merged to create the School of Media and Communication. The merger has allowed the sharing of resources between both units, as well as facilitated and forged new relationships and collaborations.
The college restructure process will start in the Spring 2025 semester with two PCAL townhall meetings and the development of a strategic planning committee. This committee will be comprised of representatives from each of PCAL’s academic units and will work directly with the college on its three-year strategic plan, which will inform and guide the restructuring process. The college will conclude the process by the 2027-2028 academic year.
PCAL is committed to working with faculty, staff, and students to ensure that departmental cultures and identities are preserved, protected, and supported within the college’s new structure.
“Change is difficult, but it can also be an opportunity for growth,” says Dean Brown. “I firmly believe that if we engage in this work thoughtfully and collaboratively, we can build a structure that both honors our traditions and positions us for long-term success.”
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.