We prepare students for an ever-changing future by providing a foundational liberal arts and sciences education that is more relevant than ever. Here, breakthroughs are fueled by unfiltered imaginations and unconventional ideas. Whether in the classroom or in the lab, on stage or in the field, you’ll gain the skills and experience you need for what’s new, next, and not-yet-imagined.
Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and the Malcolm and Sylvia Boyce Chair in Geological Sciences Doug Edmonds studies the ground beneath our feet. How it forms, how it moves, and what it holds. Sedimentary rocks, for example, are where the Earth stores its drinking water, oil, and natural gas.
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What can a country-pop music legend teach students about identity, culture, and social change? In a classroom in the College, the answer is: quite a lot. Through the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, a new course is using popular culture to introduce students to the depth and complexity of anthropology.
Read more about The Anthropology of Dolly Parton
Shelby Rader, assistant professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences in the College, has been selected as member of the 2026 cohort of Fellows for the Storymakers program at USC’s Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, with the aim of bringing important science research to wider audiences.
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When she isn't tending to her small orchard, Candy Gunther Brown, professor of Religious Studies, is researching and writing about American evangelicalism, particularly belief in and practices of divine healing and the exorcism of or deliverance from evil spirits.
Read more about Professor Brown
For Afia Zeeshan ’26, the path to medicine in the College has combined rigorous academics, hands-on research, and global experiences to build a well-rounded foundation for her future in healthcare.
Read more about Afia Zeeshan
Groundbreaking research by Natalie Hipple, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice in the College, has led to the first comprehensive typology of how American police departments respond to the problem of homelessness.
Read more about Professor HippleThe College of Arts and Sciences values curiosity and diverse thought as core strengths and essential elements in the success of its educational mission. Our commitment is grounded in our aspiration to cultivate intellectual rigor and curiosity among our students and to prepare them to thrive in and contribute to a complex and interconnected world.
