AC introduces broad range of new programs, including AI, coaching, spirituality and wellbeing
Posted Tuesday, August 05, 2025
Author: Mickey Alvarado
Faculty and staff at Adrian College have been busy adding new academic programs approved by the Higher Learning Commission over the summer. New additions include criminal justice, cybersecurity management, high performance coaching and operations, integrated science, music, nutrition, physics, and spirituality and wellbeing.
In addition, several master’s programs were added, including artificial intelligence-driven management, business analytics, computer science, cybersecurity management, exercise and rehabilitative science, and high performance coaching and operations.
Minors were also added in computer engineering, cybersecurity, environmental science, nutrition, software engineering, and spirituality and wellbeing.
A new undergraduate certificate was created in trauma-informed care.
“One of our institutional goals out of academic affairs is to focus on growing relevant programs,” said Nathan Gordon, Adrian College assistant dean of undergraduate studies and institutional effectiveness. “We support and encourage the collaboration of our faculty in diverse programs to develop strategic academic pairings.”
He noted spirituality and wellbeing as one example, which offers a Bachelor of Arts, an Associate of Arts, and minor in the religion program.
“The faculty collaborated with Reverend (Alice) Ford, and they decided to put together the spirituality and wellbeing program,” Gordon said. “The idea was to incorporate other courses, for example, philosophy, art, psychology, psychotherapy, and social work.”
Gordon said Adrian College faculty will teach most of the new programs on campus, while some, especially in computer science, will include online courses.
Adrian College’s department chairs were asked to review their programs to see if they aligned with this goal and to explore ways to partner with other programs across disciplines.
“What we were trying to emphasize is our institutional goal from academic affairs, which is to explore and market the pairing of complementary and stackable programs,” Gordon said. “One of our Ribbons of Excellence is crossing boundaries in disciplines, developing literacy in multiple fields, personifying the liberal arts experience and making connections across disciplines.”
Gordon said at least one-third of the new programs resulted from conversations with department chairs. Others, such as high performance coaching and operations, came from ongoing discussions that included Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking, who was excited about adding unique programs.
Tina Claiborne, Adrian College director of athletic training, surveyed students to gauge interest in the high performance coaching and operations program and found overwhelming support.
“There was an impressive amount of positive responses from students,” Gordon said. “That was a green light from our students, and we care about them and want to support their interests.”
He noted the computer science department as another example of faculty finding innovative ways to expand programming and meet student demand.
“Now, students have additional options through cybersecurity, software engineering, and artificial intelligence,” Gordon said. “What’s interesting is that both computer science and business offer artificial intelligence majors in different ways. Computer science focuses on a scientific approach, while the business department focuses on practical applications.”
The following is a list of newly approved programs and degrees now available at Adrian College:
- Master of Arts in exercise and rehabilitative science
- Master of Arts in high performance coaching and operations
- Master of Business Administration in artificial intelligence-driven management
- Master of Business Administration in business analytics
- Master of Business Administration in cybersecurity management
- Master of Science in computer science
- Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice – forensic literacy track
- Bachelor of Arts in lower elementary education – PK-3 endorsement
- Bachelor of Arts in Physics – astronomy track
- Bachelor of Arts in Physics – computational track
- Bachelor of Arts in Physics – mathematical track
- Bachelor of Arts in Religion – spirituality and wellbeing
- Bachelor of Business Administration in cybersecurity management
- Bachelor of Science in high performance coaching and operations
- Bachelor of Science in integrated science – secondary education
- Bachelor of Science in nutrition
- Bachelor of Science in physics – computational track
- Bachelor of Science in physics – mathematical track
- Minor in computer engineering
- Minor in cybersecurity
- Minor in environmental science
- Minor in nutrition
- Minor in software engineering
- Associate of Arts in commercial music
- Associate of Arts in music
- Associate of Arts in religion – spirituality and wellbeing
- Undergraduate certificate in trauma-informed care
New faculty were hired to teach some of the new courses, and Gordon said Adrian College was able to bring in several highly respected instructors.
Phil Osaer, former head goaltending scout for the Detroit Red Wings and current director of athlete development at Suburban Sports Group in Farmington Hills, will teach in the high performance coaching and operations program.
“It is my great pleasure to be part of this program, designed specifically for those who aspire to coach high-level sports teams,” Osaer said. “I’ve coached at nearly every level and know how valuable a structured, hands-on education can be. This curriculum is built to reflect what it takes, day in and day out, to be a high-level coach, scout, or manager.”
Kathryn Tucker will teach three sections of a Great Conversations course titled “What It Means to Be a U.S. Citizen.” Tucker is the chief experience officer at Fremont Federal Credit Union in Ohio. She was named one of Toledo, Ohio’s 100 Most Powerful Black Leaders this year.
Anna Marie Anzalone, Lenawee County’s chief judge of the circuit and probate court, will teach criminal law.
Assistant Attorney General Lori Montgomery, section head of the Michigan Attorney General’s Conviction Integrity Unit, was hired by Adrian College to teach a course in the criminal justice program’s new forensic literacy track.
“Joining Adrian College as an adjunct professor is a tremendous opportunity to share my experiences from the Conviction Integrity Unit with future leaders in criminal justice,” Montgomery said.
Nathan Goetting, Adrian College professor of criminal justice and jurisprudence and director of the George W. Romney Institute for Law and Public Policy, said Montgomery joining Adrian College as an adjunct professor is a significant asset to the new forensic science track.
“Her extensive experience with the Conviction Integrity Unit provides students with a rare opportunity to learn from someone who has been at the forefront of advancing justice through forensic science and legal integrity,” Goetting said.
Gordon said Adrian College will continue its multidisciplinary efforts throughout the upcoming academic year.
For more information about programs available at Adrian College, visit adrian.edu.
