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New leadership—as well as careful planning in recent years—
has brought a slew of initiatives to fruition on the Hilltop.
Most are focused on the goals of the Bridge to the Future (see
p. 38), including increasing enrollment, enhancing the student
experience, and improving the quality of life in the broader
community. Here are some of BSC’s priority items.
Creative and Applied Computing
This new program grew out of last year’s academic visioning
project, in which members of the faculty generated ideas for
areas of strategic focus, with an emphasis on generating interest
from prospective students. Projects that emerged included a
Distinction in Public Health, a Poverty Studies program, and
plans to enhance Urban Environmental Studies. But perhaps
most exciting is a brand-new major in Creative and Applied
Computing, an innovative approach to computer science through
a liberal arts lens—in part because the return of computing to
BSC’s curriculum is so important to the college’s growth. The
interdisciplinary approach will draw from areas across campus as
students learn how technology impacts modern life in many ways
and amass the skills to work in a professional world of electronic
platforms, software, and big data. Classes will begin this fall. “I
feel really good about it and the faculty feels really good about
it,” said acting provost Dr. Susan Hagen. “It’s about educating
people with computing, and really it’s about creative problem
solving at the core.”
Western Area Initiative
Still in the early stages, this effort was President Linda
Flaherty-Goldsmith’s priority upon assuming her new role.
The goal is to serve as a catalyst for community and economic
development for the neighborhoods near campus, while also
providing meaningful work for BSC students to integrate
hands-on experiences with their academic studies. The college
is working with local residents and community organizations,
including the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
and the nonprofit housing group Navigate, to collaboratively
determine areas of focus. A team on campus has defined the
region of focus—a stretch that includes Princeton Baptist Medical
Center, the Birmingham Crossplex, Legion Field, and more—and
launched a survey of existing service and research projects already
happening in the area and around the Birmingham region. In
addition, a community needs assessment is underway. “We have
to start by asking people what they need,” said BSC President
Linda Flaherty-Goldsmith. “We’ve told our neighbors, whatever
you need from us, we’re going to work together toward those
ends, because we know that if you succeed, we succeed.”
Provost Search
With the departure of BSC Provost Dr. Michelle Behr, BSC
embarked in December on a national search for a new chief
academic officer. A strong pool of candidates gathered by the
firm Academic Search Associates led to an impressive group of
Rebirth and growth on the Hilltop