The value of the liberal arts

At Carolina, we believe strongly in the value of the liberal arts.

A broad-based liberal arts education helps prepare our students to become informed and engaged citizens and leaders. The courses that students are exposed to across the fine arts and humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences and mathematics help them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, be better team members and learn how to communicate effectively.

These are the skills that will prepare our students for future success as they not only thrive in their careers but also become informed and engaged citizens in our democracy.

On that note, I am pleased to share that we have hired 11 new faculty for our School of Civic Life and Leadership. Students can pursue the new minor in civic life and leadership beginning this fall.

You can also read about the value of the liberal arts in strengthening creative collaborations in research, teaching and community engagement in these pages. You will learn about a UNC geographer and her team who examined the effects of the construction industry on Ecuadorian river communities, a faculty-led student group that advised a state nonprofit on community disaster response and a graduate student research consultant who provided expertise to an undergraduate data analysis class.

While some may feel that a liberal arts education is obsolete in this time of rapidly accelerating technological change, I believe strongly it is more vital and necessary than ever before.

Sincerely,

Jim White

Craver Family Dean
College of Arts and Sciences