{"id":152112,"date":"2023-11-06T13:19:48","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T20:19:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=152112"},"modified":"2023-11-07T10:32:50","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T17:32:50","slug":"west-elevated-from-program-to-department-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=152112","title":{"rendered":"WEST elevated from program to department status"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152334\" data-id=\"152334\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2114-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2114-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2114-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2114-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2114-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2114-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2114-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152341\" data-id=\"152341\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2335-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2335-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2335-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2335-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2335-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2335-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2335-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"1400\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152336\" data-id=\"152336\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1962-1-934x1400.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1962-1-934x1400.jpg 934w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1962-1-534x800.jpg 534w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1962-1-512x768.jpg 512w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1962-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1962-1-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1962-1-100x150.jpg 100w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1962-1-1201x1800.jpg 1201w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1962-1-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152343\" data-id=\"152343\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2363-2-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2363-2-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2363-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2363-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2363-2-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2363-2-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2363-2-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152340\" data-id=\"152340\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2300-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2300-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2300-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2300-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2300-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2300-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2300-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152345\" data-id=\"152345\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2438-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2438-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2438-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2438-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2438-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2438-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2438-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152338\" data-id=\"152338\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2292-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2292-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2292-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2292-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2292-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2292-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2292-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"1400\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152337\" data-id=\"152337\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1910-1-934x1400.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1910-1-934x1400.jpg 934w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1910-1-534x800.jpg 534w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1910-1-512x768.jpg 512w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1910-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1910-1-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1910-1-100x150.jpg 100w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1910-1-1201x1800.jpg 1201w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1910-1-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152342\" data-id=\"152342\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2346-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2346-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2346-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2346-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2346-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2346-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2346-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"1400\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152335\" data-id=\"152335\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2064-1-934x1400.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2064-1-934x1400.jpg 934w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2064-1-534x800.jpg 534w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2064-1-512x768.jpg 512w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2064-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2064-1-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2064-1-100x150.jpg 100w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2064-1-1201x1800.jpg 1201w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2064-1-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152333\" data-id=\"152333\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2129-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2129-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2129-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2129-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2129-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2129-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2129-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152326\" data-id=\"152326\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1809-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1809-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1809-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1809-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1809-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1809-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1809-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152332\" data-id=\"152332\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2138-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2138-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2138-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2138-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2138-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2138-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2138-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152331\" data-id=\"152331\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2143-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2143-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2143-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2143-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2143-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2143-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2143-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152324\" data-id=\"152324\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1786-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1786-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1786-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1786-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1786-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1786-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1786-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152329\" data-id=\"152329\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1814-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1814-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1814-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1814-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1814-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1814-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1814-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152328\" data-id=\"152328\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1813-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1813-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1813-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1813-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1813-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1813-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1813-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152327\" data-id=\"152327\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1811-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1811-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1811-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1811-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1811-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1811-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1811-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152330\" data-id=\"152330\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1826-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1826-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1826-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1826-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1826-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1826-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1826-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-152325\" data-id=\"152325\" src=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1797-1-1200x800.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1797-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1797-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1797-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1797-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1797-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_1797-1-1400x934.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Department Dedication for TCID and WEST. Photo by Jeffrey M Foster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/west.uccs.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\">Women&#8217;s and Ethnic Studies<\/a> (WEST) has steadily evolved since it was first introduced at UCCS, most recently through its transformation from program to department in the College of Letters, Arts &amp; Sciences (LAS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A minor in Ethnic Studies was first established in 1992. Professor Andrea Herrera, Ph.D., arrived at UCCS in 1999 and served as director of the program. Herrera began working in collaboration with Professor Abby Ferber in 2000, who assumed the directorship of a minor in Women&#8217;s Studies. With the support of colleagues from across their campus, they co-founded the WEST program in 2007 and began offering an undergraduate degree and several certificate programs. WEST&#8217;s intersectional approach to the relationships among race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexualities, disability and other hierarchies, combined with its emphasis on praxis and service to the community, establishes it as one of the\u00a0most comprehensive women\u2019s and ethnic studies programs in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Professors Andrea Herrera and Abby Ferber co-created WEST at UCCS in 2007 and led the effort to grow the program over the years, and Herrera served as director for much of that time,&#8221; said Heather Albanesi, Ph.D. and WEST Department Chair. &#8220;Due to their vision, WEST has distinguished itself as one of a handful of programs in the U.S. that integrates an interdisciplinary, intersectional approach to Women\u2019s\/Gender Studies and Ethnic\/Race Studies and stresses both environmental and social justice.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WEST currently offers <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/west.uccs.edu\/academics\" target=\"_blank\">several curriculum options<\/a>, including a major, minor, four articulated double majors, WEST BI, five certificates, and the WEST\/MBA Accelerated Master\u2019s Program. The department also focuses on collaborating with other departments and colleges often, with recent partnerships including a research project with the Department of Sociology that explored the experiences of first-generation college students and the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, a collaboration with Colorado College. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;This change in designation recognizes the clear and distinct teaching and research missions of WEST and adds gravitas to us as an academic unit,&#8221; noted Albanesi. &#8220;We believe this change will also help us recruit and retain high-quality faculty, which benefits our students. We also see this growth as responding to student interest and aiding inclusion and retention of a diverse student body.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The department also expects to continue expanding its curriculum, with the hope of adding two new articulated double majors in GES and Communication and two new Accelerated Masters Programs in the next year. Additionally, students now have the option of completing the WEST degree fully online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The newly-established status was celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Oct. 26 that had WEST students and faculty in attendance, along with LAS Dean Lynn Vidler, Provost Nancy Marchand-Martella, Interim Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe elevation of this program to department status reflects the importance and independence of the research area and the value for students,&#8221; said Dean Vidler. &#8220;I am thrilled that the status of this academic discipline has been recognized.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the UCCS College of Letters, Arts &amp; Sciences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;College of Letters, Arts &amp; Sciences&nbsp;at UCCS is the university\u2019s largest college, enrolling nearly 6,000 students across 21 departments and programs. The college offers 19 majors and 53 minors in the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Students can also choose from five accelerated bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees, nine full master\u2019s degrees and three Ph.D. degrees, as well as pre-medical and pre-law programs. The mission of the college is to position graduates for success in their personal and professional lives, with a focus on thinking, creating and communicating \u2014 skills vital to employers and graduate and professional schools. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uccs.edu\/degreesandprograms\/college-letters-arts-and-sciences\"><strong>Learn more about the College of Letters, Arts &amp; Sciences<\/strong><\/a> at UCCS.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Women&#8217;s and Ethnic Studies has steadily evolved since it was first introduced at UCCS, most recently through its transformation from program to department in the College of Letters, Arts &#038; Sciences. <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=152112\" title=\"WEST elevated from program to department status\">(More)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":152333,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1,45,49,12],"tags":[331,86,332,126],"class_list":["post-152112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-arts-and-culture","category-campus-announcements","category-events","tag-campus-announcements","tag-college-of-letters-arts-and-sciences","tag-more-news","tag-womens-and-ethnic-studies"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2129-1-scaled.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1mBpJ-Dzq","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152112","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=152112"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152112\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152354,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152112\/revisions\/152354"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/152333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=152112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=152112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=152112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}