About Us

A large college with a family feel

Who We Are

The College of Liberal Arts is a community of arts, humanities, and social science scholars who study the cultural, social, environmental, and historical context in which we live, and examine what it means to be human.

Our students and faculty share a commitment to the well-being of the human community, the natural environment in which we live, and to the inspiration of the human spirit.

Departments
Dean's Staff Directory
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Our Mission

We create and extend knowledge and artistry that develops reflective citizens and confident leaders.

Our Vision

Be a central part of every CSU student’s experience, and be the most innovative, engaged College of Liberal Arts at a public, land-grant institution.

Our Values

Be courageous and determined.

Be curious.

Be empathetic.

Engage with our communities and the world.

Create knowledge, research, and artistry.

Develop wisdom.

Advocate for equity and justice.

Pursue excellence.

Evoke emotion.

By The Numbers

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
6,+
MAJORS
CONCENTRATIONS
MINORS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
+
GRADUATE & PHD PROGRAMS
FACULTY MEMBERS
+
ALUMNI
+

Strategic Plan

The College of Liberal Arts strategic plan is our shared mission until 2025 and was developed through a Guiding Coalition from the dean’s office, three college-wide Task Forces, and Department selection of action items.

The plan has three strategic directions to inform how we work, teach, learn, research and create:

  • Discovery with impact
  • Thriving beyond COVID
  • Structures for success
Read the Strategic Plan Overview
Students raise their hands in participation at a Center for Public Deliberation event

Diversity Plan

GOAL 1: Improve recruitment and retention of traditionally marginalized faculty

Actively support efforts to increase recruitment and retention of faculty from marginalized and excluded populations in the College of Liberal Arts.

  • Identify departments that will participate in the “cluster hire” of 3-5 faculty in pursuit of diversity and inclusion. Under the leadership of Senior Associate Dean Bernasek, departments who participate in the cluster hire will collaborate on developing best practices in search processes, work together to create job descriptions and job ads, develop plans to encourage collaboration among faculty in research and teaching, and provide intentional mentorship with an eye towards retention.
  • In required application materials, ask applicants to include a statement of how they have and will contribute to diversity and inclusion efforts.
  • Include in job qualifications for Tenure Track hires intentional statements about department goals with respect to diversity and inclusion.
  • Establish a faculty mentoring program within the college and, in conjunction with campus partners, plug into or create affinity groups.

 

GOAL 2: Improve retention of marginalized students

Actively support efforts to increase retention of students from marginalized and excluded populations in the College of Liberal Arts by improving cultural climate.

  • Continue to work with faculty and ASCs in departments on awareness and mitigation of achievement gaps for underrepresented students.
  • Encourage and incentivize participation in professional development opportunities such as the Faculty Institute for Inclusive Excellence and the Creating Inclusive Excellence Programs.
  • Implement workshops to enable discussions and provide resources about how to enhance the learning environment from an inclusive and intersectional perspective.

 

GOAL 3: Create college-level Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Create 50% college-level position to coordinate efforts for faculty recruitment and retention and inclusive pedagogy and practices.

  • Write the position description by Fall 2018.
  • Conduct the search during the Fall 2018 semester.
  • Hire the Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion for Spring 2019.

History of the College

Colorado State University’s College of Liberal Arts has existed under its current name and structure since 1992, but the liberal arts have been essential to the University since its first class in 1880. Read more about the history of the College and how we continue to advance the human experience.

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