- In June 2023, WVU announced plans to merge the College of Creative Arts and the Reed College of Media. In September, the Board of Governors approved plans to also transition three design-related programs from the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design to the new college. These programs include Design Studies; Fashion, Dress and Merchandising; and Interior Architecture.
- In January 2024, the University announced the name of the new college will be the College of Creative Arts and Media. The new college will launch July 1, 2024.
- Current Creative Arts Dean Keith Jackson will lead the new College of Creative Arts and Media, effective July 1, 2024. Jackson will serve as dean of the new college for two years, after which there will be a national search for a new dean.
- Current Reed College of Media Dean Diana Martinelli will serve as the new college’s vice dean and director of the new Reed School of Media and Communications for one year, effective July 1, 2024. A new school director will be selected to serve following Martinelli's return to full-time faculty status in fall 2025.
- In addition to the Reed School of Media and Communications, the College of Creative Arts and Media will continue to include the schools of Art and Design, Music, Theatre and Dance, and the Art Museum of WVU. The three design-related programs from the Davis College will be housed in the School of Art and Design. Game Design and Interactive Media, currently an interdisciplinary major between the Reed College of Media and College of Creative Arts, will also be housed in the School of Art and Design.
- The goal of the merger is to create a single academic unit that is highly relevant to future students, competitive in the higher education landscape and interdisciplinary in nature.
- The merger also presents an opportunity for administrative efficiencies and cost savings for the University.
- The College of Creative Arts and Reed College of Media already share curriculum as well as an innovative mindset and a focus on multimedia storytelling.
- Benefits of the merger will be dynamic academic offerings, collaborative research, interdisciplinary funding opportunities, enhanced student services, operational efficiencies and new growth and investment opportunities.
- The Office of the Provost conducted peer benchmarking research across peer and regional institutions and found that many already align similar programs in a single college, including New York University, Northeastern University, Purdue University, University of Colorado Denver, Central Michigan University, University of Montana, Emerson College, Marquette University and Marshall University.
- University and College leaders have been working through summer and fall 2023 to map out a structure for the new college.
- Working groups that include faculty, staff and key stakeholders from all of the merging units have been and will continue meeting throughout the 2023-24 academic year to address topics including academic programming, promotion and tenure guidelines and practices, administrative and student support services, and fundraising among others.
- Additional decisions about the college’s organizational structure, including the senior leadership team, will be made in the coming months.
- A restructuring decision such as this does not require Board of Governors’ vote or approval, but they have been involved in and aware of leadership’s decision-making process and progress.