In times of division, the humanities aren’t a luxury. They’re essential to understanding current circumstances—and how to respond to them. A&S is committed to building capacities for working across differences through research, teaching and community engagement. When communities fracture, we need scholars who trace conflict’s historical roots so that compromise can be found. When rhetoric inflames, we need those who understand language’s power to extinguish the flames of polarization. When division seems intractable, we need practices of dialogue and meaning-making that can bridge divisions.

• Inclusive Teaching Excellence: Faculty development in teaching across experiences facilitating difficult dialogues and creating classroom environments where students with diverse perspectives can engage productively.
• Community Literacy and Storytelling: The Engaged Humanities Network—serving 400+ students and faculty through 35+ community partnerships—embeds reciprocal engagement throughout the curriculum.
• Change-Making Platforms: Social Change Shark Tank where students compete for funding to address social issues they care about. Shaping Change symposia centering student voices in urgent topics. Spaces where Liberal Arts Core competencies—especially civic engagement and ethical reasoning—become visible action.
• Study Abroad as Perspective Transformation: Programs explicitly designed to challenge assumptions and build capacity for working across differences. Not tourism, but transformative learning that develops the humility, curiosity and adaptability our polarized world urgently needs. Financial support ensuring access regardless of economic background.

Impact: Ethical leaders equipped to listen to opposing viewpoints, facilitate dialogue in divided spaces and pursue change through community partnership. Faculty producing scholarship that communities can use. An institution modeling authentic belonging.