MTSU merges areas to create new Department of Political and Global Affairs

Middle Tennessee State University leaders unveil the new Department of Political and Global Affairs during a Spring Alumni Showcase event held April 9, 2024, at the MT Center on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Pictured, from left, are College of Liberal Arts Dean Leah Lyons; Provost Mark Byrnes; Amy Atchison, political science professor and new Department of Political and Global Affairs chair; Honors College Dean John Vile; David Grubbs, professor emeritus and former Political Science chair; and George Vernardakis, professor emeritus and founder of the George, Cynthia and Roxanne Vernardakis Scholarship. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Liberal Arts has merged two departments to create the Department of Political and Global Affairs.

Dr. Mark Byrnes, university provost — Dr. Mark Byrnes

Dr. Amy Atchison, chair and professor, MTSU Department of Political Science and International Relations — Dr. Amy Atchison

The change is the result of putting the departments of Political Science and International Relations and Global Studies and Human Geography under one umbrella, an academically strategic move, MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes said.

“We approach this type of restructuring very carefully, but it is a normal part of university life,” said Byrnes, whose office oversees the academic colleges.

Department restructuring and name changes are implemented as the environment — including enrollment, majors and concentrations and societal needs — evolves, Byrnes added.

Political science professor Amy Atchison, who will serve as the chair of the new department, said the move was a proactive approach to address an upcoming “nationwide decline in the number of traditional college-aged students.”

Middle Tennessee State University College of Liberal Arts Dean Leah Lyons, left, points to the new Department of Political and Global Affairs sign during an unveiling ceremony at the Spring Alumni Showcase held April 9, 2024, at the MT Center on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Looking on is department chair and political science professor Amy Atchison. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Birth rates in the United States dropped following the 2008 financial crisis, so the cohort of students graduating high school in 2025 is one of the smallest in recent history, Atchison explained. In addition, the share of high schoolers who immediately attend college following graduation is shrinking.

The pandemic and decreased state funding for higher education across the country presented further challenges for colleges and universities, Atchison added.

“Although many universities are struggling as a result of changing demographics, MTSU is taking advantage of being in a growing region. We are making changes so we can continue to thrive, even in the face of challenges we are seeing in higher education,” Atchison said.

Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, MTSU president — Dr. Sidney A. McPhee

“By creating efficiencies with the merger, we’ve put ourselves in good shape to continue to support some of our smaller degree programs. What the university has done is made an investment in the social sciences because we see that as valuable to our students.”

Byrnes recommended the change to university President Sidney A. McPhee, who presented it to the MTSU Board of Trustees, which in turn approved the merger last fall. The merger was celebrated in early April during a special ceremony as part of the Spring Alumni Showcase on campus.

Byrnes said Atchison and Global Studies and Human Geography Chair David Carleton, along with Vice Provost Amy Aldridge Sanford “did the heavy lifting on this reorganization,” which combines the curriculums of the two departments.

Dr. David Carleton

The realignment is a “student-friendly” change that will make it easier for students to blend areas of study for their major “and still finish in four years,” Atchison explained.

“We are investing in technology. We are investing in social sciences and humanities. We are investing in new partnerships in the community,” she said. “We are making positive and proactive changes to ensure we can continue to provide the budget-friendly education students need.”

Visit https://pga.mtsu.edu/ to learn more about the Department of Political and Global Affairs.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)