Board of Regents approves new mission for consolidated Kennesaw State University
Mission statement reflects expanded academic programs resulting from consolidation of KSU and SPSU…
Georgia (Apr 16, 2014) —
KENNESAW, Ga. (April 16, 2014) — In the continuing process of consolidating Kennesaw State University and Southern
Polytechnic State University, the consolidated institution – Kennesaw State University
– will begin operating under a new mission statement that was approved Tuesday by
the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia. The new mission became
effective April 16.
The new institutional mission statement, proposed by Kennesaw State President Daniel
S. Papp and Southern Polytechnic President Lisa Rossbacher, maintains the vision of
academic excellence and core values stated in both institutions ‘previous mission
statements and expands the list of academic programs to include those currently offered
by each institution.
“The consolidated mission statement is a critical early step that sets the course
for what our new institution will achieve by combining the talents and resources of
these two great institutions of higher learning,” Papp said.
The new mission statement reinforces the new university’s commitment to research,
scholarship and public service. It also emphasizes Kennesaw State’s values, stating:
“The KSU community values open, honest, and thoughtful intellectual inquiry, innovative
and creative problem solving, professionalism, expertise, collaboration, integrity
and ethical behavior, engaged citizenship, global understanding, sustainability, mutual
respect, and appreciation of human and cultural diversity. The University community
strives continually to enhance student success, improve institutional quality and
respond to public demand for higher education.”
The consolidation process for Kennesaw State and Southern Polytechnic began Nov. 1,
2013, with USG Chancellor Hank Huckaby’s announcement and the subsequent Board of
Regents’ approval on Nov. 12 of the consolidation. Since then a 47-membr team of
faculty, staff and students from both institutions have worked together on a Consolidation
Implementation Committee to help construct the new Kennesaw State University. They
are being supported by 81 operational working groups that are addressing how the new
university will handle a range of issues, such as academic and degree programs, admissions
and financial aid and other operational and structural responsibilities.
The implementation committee is responsible for submitting a full plan to the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in October for its approval. Based on
that plan, SACS is expected to make its decision about the new university in December,
with the final decision from the Board of Regents scheduled for January 2015.
To date, a proposed academic structure and the appointments of senior administrative officers for the consolidated Kennesaw State University have been announced. The proposed
academic structure calls for a total of thirteen colleges — Southern Polytechnic College
of Engineering & Engineering Technology, College of Architecture and Construction
Management, College of the Arts, Michael J. Coles College of Business, College of
Computing and Software Engineering, College of Continuing and Professional Education,
Leland and Clarice C. Bagwell College of Education, Graduate College, WellStar College
of Health and Human Services, Honors College, College of Humanities and Social Sciences,
College of Science and Math, and University College.
For more information, visit the consolidation website at: http://www.kennesaw.edu/consolidation
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Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, offering 90
graduate and undergraduate degrees, including doctorates in education, business and
nursing and a Ph.D. in international conflict management. A member of the University
System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a comprehensive, residential institution with
a growing student population of more than 24,600 from130 countries.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its nearly 43,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
