As of April 13, 2021, Ithaca College has received provisional accreditation and approval to launch our Master of Science in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies, which will be housed in our School of Health Sciences and Human Performance (HSHP). We are particularly enthusiastic about this program because the demand for physician assistants continues to grow rapidly nationwide, creating significant professional opportunities for our students. We look forward to welcoming the inaugural class of 30 PA students into this graduate program this fall.
Our strategic plan activates us to educate, engage, and empower through theory, practice, and performance. The PA Program aligns tightly with this mission, doing so by identifying, actualizing, and leveraging areas of growth and potential to enable this college to evolve in a bold and student-centered direction that embraces the promise of the future.
Spring 2021 Updates
Launch of the Physician Assistant Program
Milestone Moment for Ithaca Forever
Nine institutional goals comprise Ithaca College’s strategic plan, Ithaca Forever, one of which is to “determine and maintain an appropriate and sustainable size for our programs and structures, and the associated resources, at every level of the institution.”
February 24, 2021, marks a milestone in the implementation of our plan, with President Shirley M. Collado and Provost La Jerne Terry Cornish’s approval of all of the recommendations in the Shape of the College final report. This report outlines necessary changes to our academic affairs division to align the size of the faculty in right proportion to the size of the student body and our academic programs in right proportion to student interest and need. The provisions of the Shape of the College report will begin to be implemented in academic year 2021-22.
Read the Shape of the College report here.
Twelve-Month Campus Action Group
The Twelve-Month Campus Action Group has continued to meet weekly since its inception. Some of the work we have been doing includes the following:
- Ropes Course in the IC Natural Lands – The group put together a proposal for a teambuilding and leadership development focused ropes course in the IC Natural Lands.
- Ithaca 360 – The group developed plans for a college-wide initiative where members of our community could present a program or workshop on an area of passion for other members of our community. This program would be open to alumni, students, faculty, staff, and professors emeriti. This program is meant to connect our IC community in a way that is accessible and promotes learning and growth. This program would take place during two weeks of the summer: one week would be in-person on the South Hill campus, and the other week would be remote.
- IC in 3 – The action group worked to identify degree programs that could be completed in three years, potentially utilizing summer sessions.
- IC Engagement Hub – The group has been laying the groundwork to create one web location where current and potential students can explore the experiential learning opportunities that exist for all Ithaca College students, and where they can learn about experiential learning requirements (like practicums, student teaching, fieldwork) for various majors.