Spotlights
Liberal Studies Program and Department Renamed as Integrative Studies and IRIS
July 29, 2019
The Liberal Studies program and department have brand new names! On
July 12, the Board of Trustees approved changing the name of the
Liberal Studies program to Integrative Studies. This change was
initially proposed by faculty and alumni who suggested it would more
clearly convey the core aims of the program and appeal to
undergraduates looking for an interdisciplinary, flexible program that
can be customized to meet their individual interests, needs, and
goals. Additionally, the Provost approved changing the name of the
Liberal Studies Department to the Integrative, Religious, and
Intercultural Studies Department (IRIS) to reflect the multiple
academic programs that are housed within the Department. These include
the Integrative Studies major (BA, BS), Religious Studies major (BA,
BS) and minor, Intercultural Competence Training certificate and
badge, and the Social Innovation Master’s Degree Program.
“This is a terrific opportunity for us as faculty and as members
of Brooks College to reintroduce ourselves to the university
community,” Department Chair Melanie Shell-Weiss reflected. “These
changes highlight our faculty’s range of scholarly and pedagogical
excellence and make it easier for students to see the relevance of our
curriculum. Check out the department’s new website for more
information at gvsu.edu/iris.