Message from Dean Bob Brinkmann
Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — your intellectual home on campus. We offer a wide range of majors as well as most of the university's general education curriculum. A liberal arts education is a key foundation of the American higher education system, and our approach embraces NIU's values of curiosity and creativity, equity and inclusion, ethics and integrity, and service and stewardship.
The college's faculty are among the most accomplished in the nation. They are writers, scientists, artists and public intellectuals who have been featured by major outlets like CNN, PBS NewsHour and New York Times. Most importantly, however, they are gifted teachers who care about your success. The college is also home to fantastic staff who are dedicated to the mission and vision of NIU. Our college community fosters a welcoming, caring environment that promotes inclusion. You belong here, and we are here to help you achieve and experience all the great things NIU has to offer.
Undergraduate students can major in one of 35 different undergraduate programs. Our departments and centers create great experiences for students by curating opportunities for undergraduate research, study abroad and a range of other activities including student clubs and interactions with world-renowned intellectuals. We also offer a multitude of minors and certificates. We have a range of programs that cater to diverse interests.
Graduate students in our nationally ranked programs are changing the world by advancing new technologies and finding new ways to understand these difficult times through their research, writing and creative endeavors. The broad scope of graduate offerings in our college helps to drive our commitment to follow the university's mission to "…empower students through educational excellence and experiential learning…" Our faculty and students frequently collaborate with regional, national, and international partners to advance discoveries and innovations that empower our students and build tomorrow's leaders.
Of course, learning does not end with classroom experiences. The DeKalb and greater northern Illinois region provides wonderful settings to examine urban, suburban, and rural issues of importance to our society. We also strive to adopt an international perspective to gain a deeper understanding of our world. Our local, regional and international network creates amazing opportunities for our students to engage on the critical issues of our times.
I can't think of a better time to be a student at NIU. The opportunities here are endless. I encourage you to explore our degree offerings and research activities. Go Huskies!
Bob Brinkmann
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Smerge Endowed Dean's Chair