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Today’s unprecedented challenges—from climate change and health crises to rapidly evolving technologies—demand urgent action and innovative solutions. Faculty and students in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) have long been at the forefront of addressing such challenges through interdisciplinary research, teaching and public scholarship. Building on this foundation, the college has developed a five-year academic strategic plan (ASP) that deepens its commitment to transforming liberal arts education and empowering students to become leaders who can navigate an ever-changing world.

From Classroom to Community

The plan, “Shaping the Future: Innovation, Engagement and Impact,” charts a course for how students, faculty and staff will lead in addressing climate change, advancing human health and well-being, fostering inclusive communities and harnessing emerging technologies.

Four pillars form the foundation of the plan: climate change and the environment; health and well-being; culture, community and change; and innovative technologies. These pillars reflect areas where A&S already has deep, cross-disciplinary expertise—bringing together scientists, humanists and social scientists whose scholarship directly addresses global challenges. This alignment ensures the plan builds on proven strengths while expanding opportunities for collaboration and real-world impact.

“Higher education faces genuine pressures that demand we clearly demonstrate what only we can do—then do those things at a level no one can ignore. That is what this plan outlines,” says A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi. “It underscores that the real case for a liberal arts education is concrete: the ability to write clearly when your peers cannot, to see patterns across domains that specialists miss and to navigate complexity when algorithms fail. These are competitive advantages, not just intellectual virtues.”

Many Perspectives, One Path Forward

Among those most energized by the plan are A&S alumni, many of whom are eager to contribute their expertise to help shape its success. In October 2025, the Dean’s Advisory Board convened to review the plan draft, weighing in on the College’s priorities and offering valuable perspective on its aspirations and goals.

During a strategic engagement day on Feb. 11, a select group of intergenerational guests—including current and former University trustees and A&S board members—spent time on campus exploring the plan’s pillars, engaging directly with faculty and students and offering candid insights that will inform next steps.

“Amidst the currents that higher education is facing, I am encouraged by the strategic vision for the College of Arts and Sciences,” says Zach Finley G’17, an economist with UBS AG. “Now is the time to champion the liberal arts.”

University Trustee Chris Carona ’85 echoed this sentiment. “What an eye-opener! I was so impressed with the faculty we spent time with throughout the day. Heidi Hehnly was absolutely exceptional—she’s a tremendous ambassador for Arts and Sciences and represents the very best of what makes Syracuse special: brilliant, dedicated people who are creating real opportunity for students. The experience gave me such a clear view of the incredible talent and vision driving the college forward.”

To make the college’s plans more accessible to its broader alumni community, A&S held a virtual conversation with Dean Mortazavi on Feb. 24, moderated by Dean’s Advisory Board Chair Lisa Schweitzer Courtice ’84. More than 100 alumni and friends joined to hear about the vision behind “Shaping the Future.”  The college also hosted an interactive ASP launch event on Feb. 12, drawing around 100 faculty guests to hands-on stations where they explored the plan’s goals, provided feedback and discovered opportunities aligned with their work.

A Framework for Impact

With more than 4,000 students and 300 faculty across myriad departments, centers and institutes, A&S is a hub of interdisciplinary scholarship and innovation. Each pillar is supported by targeted goals, implementation strategies and measurable outcomes that will shape the academic experience for students and faculty alike.

Climate Change and the Environment—A&S is strengthening its focus on sustainability and climate resilience by expanding access to hands-on research and learning experiences, while increasing research funding and support for developing innovative curricula.

Health and Well-being—The college is enhancing its health-focused curriculum and research initiatives, emphasizing holistic, inclusive approaches to health care and empowering students to gain clinical training, contribute to community outreach and engage in groundbreaking research.

Culture, Community and Change—A&S is working to bridge societal divisions through research, teaching and community engagement that promote understanding across human differences, helping students become thoughtful, ethical leaders who can drive positive change.

Innovative Technologies—From artificial intelligence to quantum computing, A&S is positioning itself at the forefront of technological transformation, integrating technology across disciplines and preparing students to lead in a rapidly evolving digital world through new courses, research labs and entrepreneurial opportunities.

“Our four pillars are deeply interconnected and reflect the complexity of the world we live in,” says Mortazavi. “This plan reflects our shared vision for a future where our students don’t just succeed—they lead, they innovate and they make a difference.”

Support from alumni and friends is key to sustaining this ambitious vision. Whether through annual giving, endowed scholarships or support for specific pillar initiatives, investments enable A&S to recruit world-class faculty, provide transformative learning experiences and strengthen community partnerships—empowering the next generation of scholars to shape the future of the liberal arts and sciences at Íø±¬ÃÅ.