EIU aims to merge College of Education, College of Health and Human Services

January 25, 2026 - 04:07

Eastern Illinois University has unveiled a significant proposal to consolidate its academic structure, moving from four colleges to three. The plan centers on merging the College of Education with the College of Health and Human Services.

The initiative, detailed in a memo from interim administration to university leadership, also involves combining at least six academic departments across campus. This restructuring is framed as the result of ongoing campus-wide discussions aimed at streamlining operations.

For the changes to be implemented, the proposal must first gain approval from the university's Board of Trustees. If sanctioned, the new academic alignment is slated to take effect at the start of the upcoming fiscal year on July 1.

University officials indicate the move is designed to foster greater collaboration across related disciplines and create a more unified academic community. The restructuring represents one of the most substantial administrative shifts at the institution in recent years, with potential implications for faculty, staff, and students within the affected programs. The proposal now enters a phase of review and consideration by the governing board.