College of General Studies, Arts and Sciences merge

The College of General Studies has found a new home. Administratively, that is.

In an… The College of General Studies has found a new home. Administratively, that is.

In an administrative realignment, CGS will be integrated into the School of Arts and Sciences.

CGS will not lose its name or any of its programs. The former dean of CGS, Susan Kinsey, will assume the title of vice provost for continuing education.

John Cooper, the current dean of Arts and Sciences, will also become the dean for CGS.

Cooper doesn’t see any major changes because of the realignment, since CGS and SAS have always shared resources and programs, and CGS has used these resources to help fulfill its mission.

“We do hope that this will provide a broader scope of choices to our students,” Cooper said.

He added that CGS will continue to be committed to its adult-learning programs, degree programs and certification programs. The staff will be integrated, though, adding what Cooper said would be a greater synergy between the staffs.

Cooper said that CGS will keep its location on the fourth floor of the Cathedral.

Pitt Provost James Maher also said in a press release that the University will continue to provide its programs to nontraditional students.

“Part of our long-standing mission here at the University of Pittsburgh has been to offer continuing education programs adapted primarily to the personal, professional, and career interests of nontraditional students,” Maher said in a press release.

“Demographic and economic changes occurring in the region in the recent past have affected the patterns of demand for continuing education programs and services, a trend we see happening nationally as well. Dr. Kinsey will be helping us to determine the best ways to fulfill our mission in this environment.”

CGS was founded in 1958 and, according to the press release, has graduated about 18,000 students since then. Maher said that these students have helped enrich the economic, civic and cultural life of the Pittsburgh region.

“We fully expect to continue this proud tradition,” Maher said.