College of Arts and Sciences

Strategic Planning

Strategic Plan 2024 - 2028

The College of Arts and Sciences 2024-2028 Strategic Plan goals focus on four key areas: Academic Excellence; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging; Research and Creative Scholarship; and Community Engagement. Each goal includes clear objectives and strategies that we will implement together over the next four years. As I wrote when we crafted our last strategic plan, these are perilous times in the higher education community, particularly for colleges of arts and sciences. The trends of stagnant or declining state support for public education, increasing costs of attendance for students, declining numbers of high school graduates, and negative perceptions regarding the value of a “liberal education” continue to challenge all of us. Indeed, since our last strategic plan was launched, we have weathered a global pandemic, an unprecedented permanent budget reduction, and a sharply divided nation. Nonetheless, I remain confident in our talented, creative, collaborative, and dedicated community. Together, we will achieve our vision of excellence in all aspects of learning and discovery across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences while fostering a climate of intellectual freedom, diversity, and inclusion.

— Dr. Carla Koretsky, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Mission and vision

Our mission in the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University is to ignite and sustain a passion for learning and discovery in the humanities, social sciences and sciences, to help students, staff and faculty succeed in life and contribute to the betterment of our communities, from local to global.

Our vision is to achieve excellence in all aspects of learning and discovery across the humanities, social sciences and sciences while fostering a climate of intellectual freedom, diversity and inclusion.

Our Core Values

Collaboration

We promote an atmosphere in which staff, faculty, students and community collaborate in their discovery, learning, and engagement.

Creativity

We cherish intellectual vitality and innovation, driven by curiosity and critical thinking.

Equity

We are committed to an inclusive and equitable community comprised of diverse faculty, staff, and students.

Integrity

We actively work to uphold an honest, transparent, and respectful environment.

Intellectual Freedom

We advance intellectual freedom by promoting an open, civil exchange of diverse ideas in our inquiry, discovery, and learning.

Student Success

We center students' needs in our academic planning, policies, and programs to enable learners to meet their educational goals.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Statement

The College of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion that positively impacts the experiences and retention of students, faculty, and staff. We create a welcoming environment that allows everyone to be successful.