Two former departments, Political Science and International Relations and Global Studies and Human Geography, have come together to create the new department.
Middle Tennessee State University has introduced a new department to its College of Liberal Arts: the Department of Political and Global Affairs. The new department has emerged as a result of a strategic restructuring and combining of the Department of Political Science and International Relations and the Department of Global Studies and Human Geography.
According to an article on Middle Tennessee State University’s website, Professor Amy Atchison will become the chair of the newly created department. A Political Science professor, Atchison pointed to changing demographics as the reason behind the decision to merge two departments into one. She pointed out that the recent pandemic has had an impact on the number of students choosing to attend college, as well as the fact that the upcoming high school graduating class of 2025 will be one of the smallest in recent memory thanks to their being born following the 2008 economic crisis which slowed down birth rates.
She said, “Although many universities are struggling as a result of changing demographics, MTSU is taking advantage of being in a growing region. We are making changes so we can continue to thrive, even in the face of challenges we are seeing in higher education. By creating efficiencies with the merger, we’ve put ourselves in good shape to continue to support some of our smaller degree programs. What the university has done is made an investment in the social sciences because we see that as valuable to our students.”
University provost Mark Byrnes stated that the restructuring was done carefully and strategically. He said, “We approach this type of restructuring very carefully, but it is a normal part of university life.”
Atchison noted that the merger was done in a “student-friendly” way to ensure they would still be able to finish their degrees within four years. “We are investing in technology. We are investing in social sciences and humanities. We are investing in new partnerships in the community. We are making positive and proactive changes to ensure we can continue to provide the budget-friendly education students need,” said Atchison.
For more information about Middle Tennessee State University, visit the school’s website.