Charlotte’s Master of Public Administration program has surged to its best national ranking ever, reaching No. 46 in the U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2023-24, up from No. 60 just four years ago. With the latest rankings, the nationally accredited program is the #2 ranked public affairs program at a public North Carolina university and the #3 ranked public affairs program in North Carolina.
MPA Program Rises To Best National Spot Ever, In U.S. News & World Report Rankings
Interdisciplinary Studies Executive Director Named College Interim Divisional Dean
Beth Whitaker, a professor of political science, is interim divisional dean for the humanities and social and behavioral sciences within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. In fall 2021, the University announced it would launch a review of the structure of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Heather Smith Appointed Levine Scholars Program Faculty Director
Heather Smith, professor of geography, interim chair of the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences and Levine Scholars faculty fellow, has been appointed faculty director of the Levine Scholars Program, effective July 1, 2023. She succeeds Diane Zablotsky, who will return as a faculty member to the Department of Sociology.
New STEM Division Created; Interim Divisional Dean Appointed As Step In CLAS Organizational Review
A new academic division of four STEM departments will form within CLAS in January 2023, led by Interim Divisional Dean Bernadette Donovan-Merkert. The division’s creation will address needs the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics and Optical Science have expressed for identity, advocacy and research support. Meanwhile, study of the college’s structure will continue over the next 10 months.
Mukherjee Named Interim Associate Provost And Graduate School Dean
Pinku Mukherjee, who currently is the Irwin Belk Distinguished Professor for Cancer Research and associate dean for research and graduate education in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, will serve as the interim associate provost and dean of the Graduate School effective Jan. 3, 2023, succeeding Tom Reynolds, who will retire after 40 years of service to the institution.
Note From the Dean
Dear Colleagues,
I want to thank all of you for your resilience, your professionalism, your patience, and your good humor in this very, very difficult time. I know, from your chairs, that you have made the necessary changes to the delivery of your courses, many of you for the very first time. Your focus on the students is, of course, why working in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is so gratifying.
Please do not hesitate to be in contact with your colleagues and chairs about any questions or concerns you might have. If your chairs do not know how to respond to your question, they know to consult the Dean’s Office and we will work to have an answer for you as quickly as we can.
In this time of crisis and concern, your first priority must be your own health and the health of your loved ones. Please take care of yourselves and take all necessary precautions to be safe.
Liberal Education News Watch
Weekly Liberal Education News Watch

Week of March 16 – March 20, 2020
For most recent news, see: Liberal Education News
Wanted - Faculty Ambassadors
Now that all of our spring recruiting events have been cancelled, the Office of Admissions is looking for faculty members who are willing to be ambassadors for their college/programs. If you are willing and eager to communicate with newly admitted students please sign up here: Faculty Contact Form. The Office of Admissions will send you recruitment tips, FAQs, and sample communication to faculty who sign up.
Your Students Need Help With Technology?
Students can check out laptops, calculators, cables, chargers, and other equipment from the Circulation Desk inAtkins Library today, Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Items checked-out will have an initial due date of May 7, 2020.