TROY, Ala. (WTVY) -Troy University has several changes on the way.

Leaders at the university say the school is entering a new dimension with reclassifications that have birthed the College of Science and Engineering to replace the College of Arts and Sciences.

This means changes to the university’s college structure, with the College of Education expanding to include Behavioral Sciences. In addition, the College of Communication and Fine Arts will become the College of Arts and Humanities.

“One of the chief responsibilities of a public institution is to access the workforce needs and work to meet those needs,” Troy University Senior Vice Chancellor Kerry Palmer said.

The new College of Science and Engineering will strictly focus on stem-related fields.

“I appreciate the Alabama Commission on Higher Education; they have helped us do that. They leveled us up to doctoral status, approved this engineering program, and I think they did both of those things because they recognized that Troy is uniquely positioned to help the Wiregrass region of Alabama thrive,“ Palmer said.

A new undergraduate degree program in Electrical Engineering will be available.

Before transferring to professional engineering schools, students had limited options in the field with pre-engineering courses.

Now, they can get their engineering degree here and make an immediate impact.

“Everything you see from your cellphone to the casing of your cellphone. From your car to how your car has been painted. Everything is designed by engineers, so if we need more of anything, it would be engineers,” Dr. Govind Menon, the dean of the College of Science and Engineering, said.

With the program, students will learn both theory and practical application to prepare them for the workforce.

This is something future engineer Alex Bearden sees as a benefit.

“When you get out there in the industry, people will treat you differently. Different pay and different levels in the workspace will be a lot different. Plus, with the extra classes that we will be learning, it is great because I want to take every opportunity I can get to learn,” Bearden said.

Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins said today marks the university’s first significant step in engineering and an answer to growing demands in the field.

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