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Tara Feld will serve as the dean of the College of Business, Health, and Community Programs (CBHCP).
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Dennis DeVolder will serve as Associate Dean for Budget, Personnel, and Strategic Planning and Peter Jorgensen will serve as Associate Dean for Academic Programs, Assessment, and Student Success.
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Introducing: College of Business, Health, and Community Programs

July 7, 2026

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - As part of Western Illinois University's transition to a two college system on Wednesday, July 1, the new College of Business, Health, and Community Programs (CBHCP) will serve as a hub for career-focused education, workforce development and community engagement across a diverse portfolio of academic disciplines.

The CBHCP Dean Tara Feld will be assisted by Associate Dean for Budget, Personnel, and Strategic Planning, Dennis DeVolder and Associate Dean for Academic Programs, Assessment, and Student Success, Peter Jorgensen.

"I look forward to working with Dr. DeVolder and Dr. Jorgensen as we launch the College of Business, Health, and Community Programs," Feld said. "Both bring extensive leadership experience, deep institutional knowledge and a strong commitment to student success. Their expertise will be invaluable as we establish the foundation, strategic direction and operational framework for this new college."

DeVolder, most recently served as interim dean of the College of Business and Technology and previously served for many years as director of the School of Computer Sciences. Throughout his leadership career, he has provided administrative leadership in budget planning, personnel management, governance processes and strategic initiatives. In his new role, he will help lead the College's fiscal stewardship, personnel coordination, strategic planning efforts, operational effectiveness and compliance with university policies and reporting requirements.

Jorgensen most recently served as director of the School of Communication and Media and has held numerous academic leadership roles during his tenure at WIU. He brings extensive experience in curriculum development, assessment, academic quality improvement and student-focused initiatives. As associate dean, he will provide leadership for academic program development, curriculum oversight, assessment activities and initiatives designed to strengthen recruitment, retention, advising and experiential learning opportunities across the College.

CBHCP will house eight new schools:


  • School of Accounting and Business Administration - Stephen Gray, director

  • School of Agriculture - Keela Trennepohl, director

  • School of Applied Clinical, Educational, and Professional Programs - Amanda Silberer, director

  • School of Communication, Media, and Experience Industries - Jeremy Robinett, director

  • School of Computing, Data, and Mathematical Sciences -Victoria Baramidze, director

  • School of Engineering and Technology


    • Engineering Technology and Construction Management programs - Rafael Obregon, interim director
    • Engineering programs - Jeffrey Hancks, interim director of Quad-Cities Academic Initiatives

  • School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration - Jamie Johnson, director

  • School of Nursing, Applied Health, and Human Performance - Patricia Eathington, director

Collectively, these schools encompass a diverse portfolio of academic programs that prepare students for careers in business, agriculture, engineering, technology, communication, health, human services, public safety and community leadership. The College includes programs with specialized accreditations, licensure pathways and strong employer and community partnerships, reflecting a shared commitment to workforce readiness, applied learning and student success.

The new structure is designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen alignment with industry expectations, professional standards and accreditation requirements, and expand opportunities for experiential learning, applied research and community engagement. While bringing programs together in new ways, CBHCP will continue to build upon the long-standing traditions, identities and strengths that have distinguished WIU's academic programs for generations.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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