Seizing an opportunity to strengthen their traditional programs and explore new interdisciplinary offerings, the faculties of the College of Communication and the College of Information at The Florida State University have voted to merge their programs.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Lawrence G. Abele approved the creation of the new College of Communication and Information. The merger will take effect July 1.
“Pooling the resources and combining the strengths of both colleges will put the new college in a leadership position to address emerging communication and information challenges of the 21st century,” Abele said.
The merged college includes the School of Communication, the School of Communication Science and Disorders, and the School of Library and Information Studies. Students in existing programs will transition seamlessly into the new college.
“The recent climate of cuts in educational funding makes resources at the university very scarce,” said Larry Dennis, dean of the College of Information, who will serve as dean of the new combined college. “The merger gives us the opportunity to rethink how we can provide quality education for more students with less money.”
“The beauty of this merger is that it brings together the traditions of innovation and success of three Florida State programs,” said Gary Heald, who became interim dean of the College of Communication after the February retirement of longtime dean John K. Mayo. “Communication has cutting-edge programs in communication, advertising, new media, digital video and project management. U.S. News and World Report ranks the programs in communication science and disorders and those in the College of Information among the very best in the nation. We are building our future on a foundation of excellence.”