Dream of a place where technology meets the humanities. That place is the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at Georgia Tech. It is named for former Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. He was an alumnus and civil rights advocate. The Ivan Allen College is a vital part of Georgia Tech. It provides innovative perspectives on technology and the human condition.
Let’s step back in time. When Georgia Tech opened in 1888 English was a core subject. Over time the curriculum evolved. In 1990 the college was named after Ivan Allen Jr. It honored his contributions to Atlanta. The Ivan Allen College has undergone changes. In 1998 the business school became its own college. The Ivan Allen College of Management, Policy, and International Affairs was renamed. It became the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. Its mission focused on liberal arts studies. These studies included humanities and social sciences. Sue Rosser became the first woman dean in 1999.
Today the Ivan Allen College continues to innovate. In 2004 it created the first doctoral program in Digital Media. Jacqueline Royster became the first African-American dean in 2010. The School of Literature, Communication, and Culture became the School of Literature, Media, and Communication in 2012.
The Ivan Allen College comprises six schools. These schools offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The college also hosts Georgia Tech’s ROTC units. The schools are Economics, History and Sociology and the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs. Further schools are Literature, Media, and Communication Modern Languages and Public Policy.
The Ivan Allen College has many research centers. These include the Center for Advanced Communications Policy and the Center for Ethics and Technology. Other centers are the Center for European and Transatlantic Studies and the Center for International Strategy, Technology, and Policy. These centers contribute to the college’s research excellence.
Most of the schools are on Georgia Tech’s Central Campus. The School of Public Policy is in the David Melville Smith Building. The School of Literature, Media, and Communication is in the Skiles Building. The School of Economics and the School of History and Sociology share the Old Civil Engineering Building. The School of Modern Languages is in the Swann Building.
The Ivan Allen College Dean’s Office and the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs are in the Habersham Building. The Digital Media program is in the Technology Square Research Building. The Ivan Allen College also uses the Stephen C Hall Building and the O’Keefe Building.
The Ivan Allen College offers a unique education. It combines technology with the humanities. This prepares students for a rapidly changing world. Graduates develop critical thinking skills. They learn to solve complex problems. The college’s alumni network is over 7000 strong. Alumni are known for their problem-solving skills. They bridge technical and non-technical fields.
The Ivan Allen College graduates are influencers and innovators. They ask why. The college doesn’t just offer solutions. It invents new ways to approach problems. The Ivan Allen College proudly advances Ivan Allen Jr.’s legacies. These include transformative urban leadership and socially conscious action. The college prepares leaders to advance technology. It improves the human condition. The Ivan Allen College remains a beacon of liberal arts. It enriches knowledge and encourages discovery. It prepares students to improve our world.