College of Arts & Sciences
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.
2026-2029 Goals
- Support student learning and success
- Develop and implement retention strategies
- Adapt to challenges and trends in higher education
- Propose a marketing plan for CAS Recruitment
- Support faculty research, scholarship, and professional development
2026-2027 Plan
- Support student learning and success
- Assist in improving academic support services in and out of the classroom
- Create in-house workshops for best practices in teaching and learning
- Examine General Education SLO results and make adjustments accordingly
- Offer workshops to meet federal digital accessibility requirements as well as overall instructional design best practices
- Develop and implement retention strategies
- Analyze and re-balance online, hybrid & f2f course offerings
- Enhance student mentoring
- Develop learning and professional development opportunities outside the classroom to engage students, both in person and online
- Adapt to challenges and trends in higher education
- Explore accelerated pathways and implement where appropriate
- Research higher education partnerships, consortia, and articulation agreements
- Research possible workforce skills/alignment/recruitment strategies
- Address ongoing AI challenges and opportunities
- Propose and implement a marketing plan for CAS Recruitment
- Create a working document for programs to target
- Propose to Marketing, Admissions, and Advising
- Support faculty research, scholarship, and professional development
- Research Faculty Support Programs
Arts and Sciences Leadership
Our Departments and Programs
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
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
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.
