College of Arts & Sciences

Inspiring students to explore all possibilities

Dean's Welcome

Welcome to the College of Arts and Sciences!

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) provides the foundation for our identity as the state-designated New Mexico public liberal arts and sciences university.  Our unique identity as an applied liberal arts and sciences institution is supported by our ALAS program, which offers students the opportunity to examine issues and texts from multiple disciplinary perspectives within our general education program.  With this foundation, students are prepared to apply their learning to their chosen course of study in academic, workforce, and/or professional programs.  CAS offers a wide range of associate and baccalaureate degrees, graduate certificates, interdisciplinary concentrations in the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Master of History degree.  Many of the college’s degree programs are small, enabling our faculty to develop close mentoring relationships with their students, to adapt curriculum to accommodate student needs, and to pivot, when necessary, at the instructional and curricular levels to ensure that students accomplish their personal, academic, and professional goals.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katherine (Kate) Oubre, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs & Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Our Mission, Vision, and Goals

Mission

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to providing an applied liberal arts and sciences education.  Our faculty strive to meet students where they are now and to prepare them as globally educated citizens capable of improving our future world through applied critical thinking, responsible problem solving, creativity and effective communication, with appreciation of diversity, equality and intellectual inquiry.

Vision 

We envision a college that engages our university and community by offering ALAS teaching and scholarship in a premiere educational environment. Our college will challenge our students with innovative approaches to learning while maintaining a tradition of excellence in teaching to prepare our graduates for lifelong success.  Through collaborative and cross disciplinary research and teaching, we encourage scholarship and creative expression by developing original ways to view our past, assess or present, and realize our potential.

2024-2026 Goals

  • Faculty Development:  We will formalize departmental mentoring models, fulfill department chair course observations and mentoring through MBO processes, and encourage peer course observation across disciplines and course modalities.
  • Supporting student learning and success:  We will engage in research on pedagogy and instruction, explore innovative and best practices, and share findings.
  • External recruitment and partnerships/collaborations:  We will evaluate, research, and make recommendations about the university’s 3 credit hour service-learning requirement to be vetted by C and I and Academic Affairs.
  • Assessment:  We will implement the revised General Education Assessment.

Arts and Sciences Leadership

Our Departments and Programs

Expressive Arts Juried Arts Students

Expressive Arts Department

Undergraduate Programs in Art and Music

 

Humanities Department

Undergraduate Programs in English, Communications, and Philosophy

Graduate Concentrations and Certificates in English, Philosophy, and Writing

Math and Computer Science Department

Undergraduate Programs in Mathematics, Pre-Engineering, and Computer Science

Graduate Concentration and Certificate in Mathematics

Image of student working on science experiment

Natural Sciences Department

Undergraduate Programs in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Outdoor Leadership, and Science Education

Graduate Concentrations and Certificates in Biology and Geographic Information Systems Science (GISS)

Social Sciences and Cultural Studies Department

Undergraduate Programs in History, Political Science, and Sociology

Graduate Program in History and Concentrations/Graduate Certificates in Border Studies, History, Latin American and Latinx and Ethnic Studies, Political Science, and Sociology

Interdisciplinary Studies Program

Undergraduate Programs in Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences (ALAS) and Interdisciplinary Studies

Graduate Program and Graduate Certificates

WILL Memberes on the River

Western Institute of Lifelong Learning (WILL)

College of Arts and Sciences Contact Information

Whether you have a question, need assistance, or just want to say hello, we are here to help.

Dr. Katherine Oubre
Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Bowden Hall, Room 314
Ms. Sonya Peña
Executive Administrative Assistant
Bowden Hall, Room 312