During Keene State’s Town Hall meeting on Jan. 23, Interim President Donald Birx proposed a rebranding for Keene State, which would separate the college into a three-school model. This would include the School of Liberal Arts, School of Applied Sciences and Technologies and School of Education and Health and Social Behavior Sciences.
Both students and faculty have reacted to the three-school model, which is planned to be implemented at Keene State in the Fall semester of 2026.
Brinda Charry, professor of English, said she recalled when the college previously used the three-school model.
“That was the case some years ago,” Charry said. “I don’t see it as a particular problem. In fact, I think what it might do, when done well, will highlight what each school does in particular. I think highlighting the aims of these schools would be a good thing for prospective students and parents.”
Women’s and Gender Studies Department Chair Patricia Pedroza Gonzalez said Keene State is in a transitional period and that it’s hard to make concrete comments on the proposed changes.
“I am a person that tends to be optimistic,” Pedroza Gonzalez said. “I think it’s important what message we send. I think it’s important that we have an institution that still has art, science and social sciences. During transition, we have more questions than answers.”
Pedroza Gonzalez noted the planned University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees meeting in June, where there will be a proposal for a five-year plan for Keene State, and said she wants to wait and see what that will include. At the meeting, each USNH school will propose a five-year plan for the university or college.
“More changes bring more opportunities,” Pedroza Gonzalez said. “And the opportunities right now are to focus on what we have. I’m ready for the change. I hope he [Birx] proposes a plan. We need a plan. I’m pragmatic and realistic.”
“I’m ready. My commitment is still with Keene State,” Pedroza Gonzalez added. “It’s urgent, it’s a change at Keene State College.”
Glen Hueckel, adjunct psychology faculty, expressed surprise at the three-school proposal and the way certain majors are categorized.
“It sounds like it’s overly simplistic,” Hueckel said. “When you change something that drastically… someone is going to get lost.”
Junior Scott Perry expressed an open mind to seeing how the change works out when implemented.
“I am open to the idea; some changes need to be made,” Perry said. “We tend to look at ideas and turn them down easily when it’s different. We need to be open to difference, open to change. It’ll be interesting to see how it comes out.”
Chloe Erno can be contacted at
