College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
CLASS Mission
Our college is committed to preparing graduates who view their education not as end in itself, but as the foundation upon which to build lives of purpose, civility, and integrity. We strive to foster respect for all the liberal arts and social sciences as civilizing and unifying forces in a world of change and growing diversity. Besides imparting a broad knowledge base, CLASS faculty involve their students in an array of individual and collaborative learning opportunities designed to make them strongly competitive in a global economy. The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences challenges students to meet high standards of academic excellence, develop their research skills, recognize and enhance their creativity, and accept their responsibility as citizens dedicated to serving their communities, nation, and world.
CLASS Vision
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences aspires to be nationally recognized for its superior and innovative educational experiences across the humanities, the social sciences, and the arts. Our goal is to provide effective programs that are responsive to the needs of the region. All members of the college--faculty, staff, and students--serve together to enhance quality of life.
To this end, our vision is one of students who will demonstrate:
Critical Thinking: The ability to think critically, to employ independent and objective reasoning skills as well as the ability to organize and synthesize information.
Creative Problem Solving and Research Skills: The ability to develop creative solutions through a familiarity with a variety of research methodologies.
Effective Communication: The ability to speak and write clearly, correctly, and persuasively, and to show mastery of appropriate academic English.
Appreciation for Self: The ability to use resources for critically evaluating their lives and the social institutions that comprise their world.
Appreciation for Others: The ability to understand and value cultural differences and similarities.
Aesthetic and Arts Awareness: The capacity to celebrate the arts and their power to enrich the human experience.
Ethical Behavior and Responsible Citizenship: The ability to use the attributes that will make them well-informed and engaged citizens, as well as thoughtful and responsible members of a global society, respected in their communities and professions.
Intellectual Curiosity: The ability to demonstrate intellectual curiosity that lasts a lifetime, producing life-long learners and independent seekers of knowledge, both for their own enjoyment and the public good.
Information Literacy: The ability to access information and data and to interpret and apply them correctly.
CLASS Values Statement
The CLASS faculty and staff value the following concepts and/or traits and strive to incorporate them in the work they do:
- Life-long learning
- Service to the community and the world
- Social responsibility
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Kindness, sensitivity, and compassion toward others
Click to view the attributes of our graduates by department
Click to view the CLASS Organizational Chart