College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Message

Dear Students,

Welcome to the College of Arts and Sciences at Saint Joseph’s University, the cornerstone of our Jesuit education. The College is the place where Jesuit tradition meets your plans for the future, opening new doors and putting new possibilities in context.

SUPPORTED BY TRADITION

Steeped in a tradition of academic rigor and social justice, Saint Joseph’s has been educating students to lead engaged lives for more than 170 years. We believe in honoring our past while focusing on the future. Here in the College of Arts and Sciences, we are educating the next generation of citizens and leaders as they pursue successful lives of meaning and impact in a complex, fast-changing world. The curriculum will support and challenge you to grow academically, mentally, spiritually and creatively.

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE

The roots of our curriculum prepare you for personal excellence, professional success and engaged citizenship. The College of Arts & Sciences prepares you to build a successful future and career. You will use what you learn here to succeed in areas of interest such as public service, communication, business, medicine, law, philanthropy and so much more. Upon graduation, Saint Joseph’s students are often top candidates for jobs or earn admittance to top programs in graduate, medical and law schools.

To prepare for the future, we encourage all undergraduate and graduate students to take advantage of the outstanding opportunities we offer. With research being a key aspect of the College of Arts & Sciences, our expert faculty will prepare you in planning, conducting, publishing and presenting your own student-directed research. We have many state-of-the-art labs and facilities on campus where you can engage in a collaborative learning environment. You will be encouraged to apply what you are learning in the classroom to real-world situations in service learning, co-ops and internships, and study-abroad programs. At the graduate level, our programs create networks of professionals led by teacher-scholars who invite challenging and enriching discussions.

COMPASSION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Saint Joseph’s has become my home away from home. I am looking forward to expanding on the University’s mission of an inclusive and diverse community that educates and cares for the whole person – cura personalis, a concept central to the Jesuit mission. I know that our faculty care deeply about their students — they teach you to make a difference and to think deeply about who you are. Most importantly, the faculty will help you to reach your full potential. Saint Joseph’s faculty take the time to care and to challenge you, providing a framework of compassion and accountability that will help you to find your path.

 

Nathan J. Baird, PhD,

Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Science