Get to Know our History and our Dean

Discover the vision and leadership behind the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kennesaw State University. Explore the range of degrees offered. Learn about the college’s rich history, its commitment to transformative education, and the goal to shape future-ready graduates prepared to lead and innovate.
Social Sciences building at KSU

 

Our History

The Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences has a history all its own. Below are some of the historical highlights that our college has experienced over the years.

  • 1963

    • Kennesaw Junior College is founded.

    1966

    • Kennesaw Junior College opens its doors.
    • Division of Humanities and Division of Social Sciences created; forming two of the three Academic Divisions.

  • 1977

    • Kennesaw Junior College renamed Kennesaw College.

  • 1983

    • Kennesaw College reorganizes academic structure. Divisions are replaced with more formal system of Schools and Departments.
    • The School of Arts and Behavioral Sciences is created with George H. Beggs serving as the first Dean.
    • Departments are created for English, History, Liberal Studies, Music, Political Science, and Psychology.

    1985

    • Department of Music renamed the Department of Music and Performing Arts.
    • Department of Political Science renamed the Department of Political Science and Sociology.

    1986

    • Department of Visual Arts created.

    1988

    • Kennesaw College renamed Kennesaw State College.

  • 1990

    • Department of Communication created.

    1991

    • Department of Liberal Studies dissolved.
    • Department of Foreign Languages created.

    1992

    • Department of History renamed the Department of History and Philosophy.
    • Department of Political Science and Sociology renamed the Department of Political Science and International Affairs.
    • Department of Public Administration and Human Services created.

    1993

    • School of Arts and Behavioral Sciences renamed School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

    1994

    • Lois E. Muir becomes Dean.

    1995

    • Donald W. Forester becomes Interim Dean.

    1996

    • Kennesaw State College renamed Kennesaw State University.
    • School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences renamed College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
    • Department of Music and Performing Arts splits; creating the Department of Music and the Department of Theater.
    • College offers its first graduate program. The Master of Arts in Professional Writing.

    1998

    • Linda M. Noble becomes Dean
    • College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences splits; creating the School of the Arts and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
    • Department of Music, Department of Theater, and Department of Visual Arts are moved to the new School of the Arts.
    • Department of Sociology, Geography, and Anthropology created.

  • 2000

    • Department of Public Administration and Human Services splits. Public Administration is merged into the Department of Political Science and International Affairs and Human Services is moved to the newly created College of Health and Human Services.

    2002

    • Department of Sociology, Geography, and Anthropology becomes the Department of Sociology, Geography, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice.

    2004

    • Helen S. Ridley becomes Interim Dean.

    2006

    • Richard Vengroff becomes Dean.
    • Department of Sociology, Geography, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice splits; creating the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice and the Department of Geography and Anthropology.

    2008

    • Cultural and Regional Studies created by organizing various CHSS interdisciplinary programs under one unit housed in the Office of the Dean.

  • 2010

    • College offers its first doctoral program. The Doctor of Philosophy in International Conflict Management.

    2011

    • Department of Interdisciplinary Studies created out of former Cultural and Regional Studies group.

    2012

    • Robin Dorff becomes Dean.

    2015

    • Department of Digital Writing and Media Arts created from consolidation of Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University.
    • Department of Communication becomes the School of Communication and Media

    2017

    • School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development created.
    • Department of Digital Writing and Media Arts becomes the Department of Technical Communication and Interactive Design.

    2018

    • Kerwin Swint becomes Interim Dean.
    • Department of Political Science and International Affairs becomes the School of Government and International Affairs.
    • Department of Psychology becomes the Department of Psychological Science.

    2019

    • Shawn Long becomes Dean.

  • 2020

    • College renamed the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences following a $9 million gift from real estate executive, Norman Radow, and his wife Lindy.

    2021

    • Pam B. Cole becomes Interim Dean.

    2022

    • Catherine (Katie) Kaukinen becomes Dean.

Message from the Dean

Dear Friends, Alumni, and Supporters,

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your dean at the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences (Radow College) as we lead toward a future of limitless possibilities and dynamic global opportunities.

We believe as the college that graduates 25% of students earning degrees from KSU, it is incumbent upon us to set the standard for preparing our graduates for their future, and to solidify our position as a top tier R2 institution. We are dedicated to offering the invaluable learning experience that our exceptional faculty is known for delivering – and that our students have come to expect.
 
Our sense of purpose informs our focus on developing cutting-edge, forward-thinking curricula that prepares our graduates for success. Our faculty expertly cultivate in our students the essential critical reasoning skills gained through a humanities and social sciences education built on project-based experiential learning; relevant hands-on research and its practical application; career ready skillsets and toolkits; international study opportunities; and myriad, high-impact collaborative learning practices that prepare our students to address the ever-changing complexities of our global community.

Katie Kaukinen, Dean at KSU

A Radow College education is not solely based on a finely tuned curriculum. We believe the higher education experience is truly complete when it includes a commitment to community engagement by our students and our faculty. Radow College faculty and staff work diligently to create student opportunities through civic, business, and nonprofit partnerships that are aligned with a goal to contribute to society in a positive, impactful, and transformative way.
 
I am excited about where we are headed as an institution and invite you to join us on this journey. We are moving quickly toward national prominence. We will continue to be nimble and to evolve and innovate to meet the changing needs of our students and our communities. We are on the cusp of becoming a national leader of humanities and social sciences colleges and will accomplish this with the ongoing dedication of our KSU family, our external community and business partners, valued stakeholders, and generous donors as we all work together to realize our vision and celebrate our success.
 
Yours in service,
 
Catherine (Katie) Kaukinen, Ph.D.
 
Dean of the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences