Bringing together the liberal arts
Photos by Lee Ferris
Mount debuts School of Arts, Sciences, and Education
As the Mount began the Fall 2022 semester, the college’s Board of Trustees approved a proposal to create the Mount’s third school: The School of Arts, Sciences, and Education (SASE).
Officially debuting in the 2023-24 school year, SASE will bring together six divisions at the heart of a liberal arts education under one umbrella, providing more efficient and equitable management and a more consistent structure across each academic area.
These Divisions will include the Division of Communication, Art, and Digital Media (CADM); the Division of Education; the Division of Humanities; the Division of Mathematics and Information Technology; the Division of Natural Sciences; and the Division of Social Sciences.
Within this new academic school, the most prominent change is the introduction of the Division of Humanities. Combining what was previously the Division of Arts and Letters and the Division of Philosophy and Religious Studies, the Division of Humanities is all about exploration, encouraging deep thought, and frank discussions within the classroom.
CADM, originally part of Arts and Letters, has also become its own division, and will house the departments of Digital Media Production, Technology and Digital Media, Visual Communication – Graphic Design, and Journalism. Advertising and Public Relations, originally part of CADM, is now part of the School of Business.
George Abaunza, former vice president for Academic Affairs, noted, “The opportunity to double-major or minor in one of our many areas of study serves to enhance the expertise of students in relation to their chosen primary fields of study.”
Through the School’s dedicated faculty, students will have the opportunity to actively engage in the processes of intellectual curiosity and inquiry, and the distinctive human exploration of values and meaning through the various areas of study within its divisions.
The School’s focus on the liberal arts and sciences prepares students for a wide range of competencies with skills such as creative and critical thinking, collaborative problem solving, and awareness of diverse cultural perspectives, effective communication, and ethical decision making - all essential in the preparation of students for the 21st century.
“The areas of study within SASE also complement our Schools of Business and Nursing, providing these students with the breadth and depth of knowledge and skills necessary for becoming accomplished professionals in their respective fields,” Abaunza said.
Using a personalized approach in both teaching and advising, SASE is committed to developing professionals through a culture of community engagement that integrates academics, service-learning, and the development of workforce skills.
