Concordia University Chicago is pleased to announce the launch of two new colleges this summer as part of a comprehensive academic reorganization. The newly formed College of Health, Science & Technology and College of Theology, Arts & Humanities will, with the existing Colleges of Business and Education, replace and absorb programs from the former Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Studies, and Innovation and Professional Programs.

The college reorganization benefits students, faculty and the University’s accomplishment of its mission by facilitating interdisciplinary and vertical connections between undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition, the moves will provide more opportunities for faculty members in similar disciplines to interact with each other, leading to professional growth and innovative ideas for programs and pedagogy.

The College of Theology, Arts & Humanities (TAH) is committed to the University’s liberal arts tradition, helping to ensure the vibrancy of those mission-critical programs. Dr. Adam Francisco, who joined the University in 2020 as assistant provost of mission and identity, will take on the additional role of dean of the College of TAH. Francisco has served on the faculties of Concordia College New York, Concordia Theological Seminary and Concordia University Irvine. He earned his DPhil from the University of Oxford and was the 2004-2005 Albin Salton Fellow at the University of London’s Warburg Institute.

The College of Health, Science & Technology (HST), will serve society’s growing need for leaders in these specialized fields, as the University pushes toward more robust degree offerings in the sciences. Dr. Eli Hestermann, who joined the biology faculty at Concordia-Chicago in 2021, has been named dean of the College of HST. Previously, Hestermann was a professor of biology at Furman University in South Carolina from 2003-2021. He earned his PhD in biological oceanography from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and his BS in biology from Purdue University.

Dr. Claudia Santin will continue to lead as dean of the College of Business and Dr. Peggy Snowden will serve as interim dean of the College of Education.

“This is an exciting initiative that bears great promise for us. Academic innovation continues at Concordia-Chicago, and we are now better positioned to serve our students, support our faculty and realize our mission,” says University Provost Erik Ankerberg. “Please join me in praying for these new leaders and our entire faculty as they provide a Christ-centered liberal arts education for every student.”

To explore the new colleges and academic structure, visit CUChicago.edu/academics/colleges.