The University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford has realigned its programs into three schools and has added several majors.

Dean Raouf Boules, Ph.D. Courtesy of University of Saint Joseph

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The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) announced it will restructure its academic schools beginning this fall. Programs, which were previously divided into five schools, will now be integrated into three: the School of Arts, Sciences, Business, and Education; the School of Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Studies; and the School of Interdisciplinary Health and Science.

Provost Michelle Kalis, Ph.D., remarked, “While retaining all of the five schools’ academic programs, faculty, and staff, and introducing four new majors – Computer and Data Science, Sport Management and Promotion, Bioinformatics, and Health Science – we are realigning programs into three schools to enhance the student experience and faculty collaboration, and to decrease administrative costs.”

Dean Joseph Ofosu, Pharm.D., R.Ph. Courtesy of University of Saint Joseph

A committee worked over the span of a year to realign academic departments and programs so that faculty and students could better engage in inter-professional education, service, and research. By grouping related fields and facilitating interactions between students in those departments – such as Nursing with Nutrition or Pharmacy with Physician Assistant Studies – the new structure will offer students more opportunities to develop as future professionals.

With the implementation of the new school structure comes a new dean to lead one of the three schools. While the School of Arts, Sciences, Business, and Education and the School of Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Studies will be led by Raouf Boules, Ph.D., and Joseph Ofosu, Pharm.D., R.Ph., respectively – both of whom currently serve as deans – the University will welcome Elizabeth Francis-Connolly, Ph.D., as the dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Health and Science. Francis-Connolly, who earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Michigan, most recently served as a professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of New England (UNE). In addition, she has extensive administration experience, including as the dean of UNE’s Westbrook College of Health Professions.

Dean Elizabeth Francis-Connolly, Ph.D. Courtesy of University of Saint Joseph

As the University welcomes Francis-Connolly and prepares for its first coeducational undergraduate class, the enhancements across campus ensure the institution will remain dedicated to setting students up for successful futures by providing an education that is both rich in value and values.

The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) offers a wide range of coeducational undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs that combine a professional and liberal arts education with opportunities for mentored research, community service, clinical field work, and internships. Programs are taught on the University’s two campuses in West Hartford and Hartford, Connecticut; at off-campus locations throughout the state; and online. Founded in 1932 by the Sisters of Mercy, the University of Saint Joseph offers degrees with value and values. To learn more, view our website at www.usj.edu.

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