Southern Polytechnic State University has implemented a new organizational structure that strengthens the scope of learning by allowing students to experience how education and skills work together in the business world.

Under the new organization, SPSU has aligned its academic programs into four schools with more expanded missions - the School of Arts and Sciences; the School of Computing and Software Engineering; the School of Architecture, Civil Engineering Technology, and Construction; and the School of Engineering Technology and Management.

With the new organization has come several new appointments. Dr. William (Sandy) Pfeiffer, formerly department head of the humanities and technical communication department, has been named vice president for academic affairs.

"The new organization is very exciting," said Pfeiffer. "It encourages collaboration among diverse faculty, and allows for expanded opportunities to work together on joint programs. One of the chief differences in the new organization is the designation of both deans and program heads. Deans will administer the budgetary controls to handle resources most effectively, while program heads will be more focused on helping students maintain their curriculum.

"The tighter structure makes for improved communication and is advantageous to our students," said Pfeiffer. "The theme of our new organization is collaboration, which really parallels what is happening in the business world, internally and externally." SPSU's fall semester, which began August 16, is the first semester under the new organization.

According to Pfeiffer, the programs in the new schools complement each other. "The combination of civil engineering, architecture and construction allows students to realize how these areas actually work together in business. Management education at SPSU relates to high-tech business, so the combination of engineering technology and management makes perfect sense," he said.

"As for computer science and software engineering, these programs have greatly expanded and need their own school."

Other key appointments in the new organization include Dr. Joel Fowler, formerly department head of the mathematics department, as assistant vice president for academic affairs, and Ms. Dawn Ramsey as dean of Extended University. Extended University includes SPSU's Center for Instructional Technology, Continuing Education, the Software Engineering Retraining Program and the Yamacraw headquarters.

Dr. Wilson Barnes has been named dean of the School of Architecture, Civil Engineering Technology and Construction. Within that department, Prof. Curtis Sartor heads the architecture program, Prof. Tim Zeigler heads civil engineering technology, and Dr. Khalid Siddiqi leads construction.

Dr. Alan Gabrielli is the new acting dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Within Arts and Sciences, Dr. Mark Stevens is the program head of humanities and technical communication, Dr. Steven Edwards is the program head for mathematics, Dr. Russell Patrick heads the physics, chemistry and biological sciences program, and Dr. Charles Weeks heads social and international studies.

SPSU's computer science department is now the School of Computing and Software Engineering, withDr. Mike Murphy serving as dean. In the school, Ron Schroeder is the head of computer science and software engineering's undergraduate program, while Dr. Venu Dasigi is the head of the undergraduate program. Dr. Rebecca Rutherfoord serves as program head of information technology.

Dr. Richard Aynsley is now the dean of the School of Engineering Technology and Management. Making up that school is the apparel and textile engineering technology program, headed by Dr. Walt Thomas; electrical and computer engineering technology, with Prof. Kim Davis as program head; industrial engineering technology, with Dr. Patricia Carden as program head; and management, with Dr. Muhammed Obeidat as the program head. Dr. Britt Pearce is the program head of mechanical engineering technology.