Leading in Academic Excellence

Springfield, Ohio - With the arrival of its 16th president, Dr. Christian M. M. Brady, in June 2025, Wittenberg has embraced an innovative, forward-facing agenda to become the model of a liberal arts university. Consistent with that objective, Wittenberg is excited to announce the creation of four new schools designed to bring the liberal arts to life in a synthesized learning environment. Inaugural deans selected from among Wittenberg's own faculty have also been appointed.

"Wittenberg has consistently delivered a rigorous liberal arts education, which is grounded in intellectual inquiry and committed to preparing students not only for a career, but for a calling," said Wittenberg President Christian M. M. Brady. "What we are announcing today furthers our vision for academic excellence, elevates our faculty and their expertise, and allows us to continue to transform our students into confident, ethical leaders who are empowered for a lifetime of meaning and purpose."

Led by Provost and Professor of Education Brian Yontz, the four-school model was developed in partnership with a faculty committee consisting of Kristin Cline in chemistry, Alejandra Gimenez-Berger in art, Alyssa Hoofnagle in math & computer science, Ross Jackson in business & economics, as well as analytics, Cathy Pederson in biological & environmental sciences, and Christian Raffensperger in history.

"I want to thank this committee for its exceptional work in bringing multiple models before us," Yontz said. "These four schools will take students on an immersive journey, one that will enable them to engage in cross-disciplinary work in such areas as the arts, business, communication, culture, education, ethics, health, science, sport studies, and the natural world." They will also "create meaningful connections and integration, exactly in the way students' future careers and lives will demand."

Following several meetings and extensive research, the new schools recently approved by the University's Board of Directors include:

• The School of Arts, Communication, and Cultural Foundations
• The School of Health, Education, and Sport Studies
• The School of Science, Technology, and the Natural World
• The School of Business, Policy, and Ethics

Inaugural deans for each school have also been selected for a three-year term with an option to renew. By hiring from within to start, Wittenberg benefits from expansive institutional knowledge and proven leadership. With that in mind and following a thorough interview process, the four deans are:

• Travis Proctor, associate professor of religion, who will lead the School of Arts, Communication, and Cultural Foundations.
• John Thistlethwaite, associate professor of health & sport studies, who will lead the School of Health, Education, and Sport Studies.
• Matt Collier, professor of biology, department chair, pre-health advisor, and 1994 Wittenberg alumnus, who will lead the School of Science, Technology, and the Natural World.
• Ross Jackson, associate professor of business & economics, and the program director for Wittenberg's graduate program in analytics, who will lead the School of Business, Policy, and Ethics.

"Wittenberg is home to an exceptionally gifted faculty that is committed to each and every student's success," Yontz said. "That commitment, I'm proud to say, will be front and center as we launch this exciting new model for teaching and learning."

In addition to organizing all current major and minor areas of study under the four-school model, the initiative seeks to exemplify a liberal arts education wherein students will take courses in each school. The approach also opens up unique opportunities for faculty to partner with their colleagues in more innovative ways in terms of collaborative research, co-teaching, launching new programs, and integrated academic programming. As professors who otherwise might not have the option to collaborate begin doing so, the liberal arts education Wittenberg offers will start to generate even more opportunities for students to discern their calling, develop skills and knowledge, and prepare for purposeful, fulfilling lives.

"The new model will connect purpose with practice, and it will foster greater student outcomes and alumni success," Yontz said. "It will also provide the core foundation of the Wittenberg Way of learning, leading, and living with light, as it delivers a new human-centered model for excellence in the liberal arts."

The creation of these schools comes on the heels of considerable momentum under President Brady's leadership, including launching and concluding a strategic planning process, partnering on new recruitment pipelines, securing leadership-level gifts, and instilling a renewed sense of hope in the University among alumni, faculty, staff, students, and families.