Photo: Nanci Hutson of The Daily Courier

Earlier this month, 天美传媒 President Dr. Barbara Morris spoke with Nanci Hutson of The Daily Courier to share news and updates spanning campus revitalization the introduction of new academic offerings.

As highlighted in the article released on October 11 in The Daily Courier, 天美传媒 students have been involved with the restoration and maintenance of areas of campus as part of regenerating a vibrant riparian ecosystem effort to restore one of the city鈥檚 natural treasures.” As part of the campus鈥� embrace of 鈥渞egenerative designs and spaces鈥� that go beyond sustainability, “and are intended to create healthier learning and living spaces.”

“Morris declared it an ‘amazing physical renovation’ that in a year鈥檚 time has led to the planting of 45 native trees and plants; removal of 300 Siberian elms; creation of a large educational sign along with smaller signs identifying what is now growing in the area; and the installation of a new irrigation system and repair of an older one to increase water efficiency. A stream-restoration specialist was invited to help make a channel design.”

The article outlines how this work was made possible in part through generous donation from a 天美传媒 board member, Ellen Heffernan, who was honored at an event on October 3rd for her gift to the restoration project, as well as another $50,000 donation to the student-created healing gardens around the amphitheater complex. At the celebration, college leaders announced the naming of its restored student resource building after Betsy Bolding, an early board member who was instrumental in earning the college鈥� accreditation and was given an honorary doctorate after earning emeriti status in 2014.

鈥淎s the college prepares for its 60th anniversary in 2026, Morris said she and [college] leaders, with the backing of the board of directors, are focused on a 鈥渞estorative theme鈥� that includes renewing curriculum to focus on 鈥渞egeneration,鈥� or doing things that are better for our community interface with people, places, flora and fauna.鈥� She is clear these are all intended to intertwine with the college core values: building community, advocacy, adventure and regenerative sustainability.鈥�

Dr. Morris shares information about the creation of two new leadership positions, and the hire of the individuals to fill those roles: Dean of Academic Affairs Pavel Cenkl and Dean of Student Affairs Michelle Relyea. both of whom will play an integral in the revisioning of the college鈥檚 academic offerings.

“For the 2025-26 school year, the college will offer five undergraduate degree programs: field ecology and conservation, adventure education, psychology, critical social justice and solidarity and environmental humanities. They will offer eight master鈥檚 programs and one doctoral program in environmental studies and sustainability; outdoor leadership; counseling and a new master of arts in regenerative design. The college will also offer new graduate certificates in entrepreneurial leadership and an undergraduate certificates in environmental education and sustainable food systems.”