College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Sara Sanders looks at another person speaking

From Dean Sara Sanders

As the oldest and largest college of the university, CLAS is home to some of the leading programs in the world in the arts, humanities, and sciences, including the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, speech pathology and audiology, fine arts, social psychology, and space physics.

Our collective vision is that CLAS will be a world class comprehensive college focused on strategic areas of strength, maintaining our central role in the university delivering transformative education enhanced by excellence in research, scholarship and creativity.

Read her message

Strategic plan pillars

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the center of the academic experience at the University of Iowa—where students and faculty are empowered to succeed. Our 2021-2026 Strategic Plan works to infuse this mission across all the areas of our college.

Person working in the Cheatum Research Lab

Research and discovery

Infusing the research mission with renewed energy and vitality, and enhancing the visibility of our research

Undegraduate students working on laptops and engaging in discussion during a psychology course

Undergraduate student success

Building a strong community of undergraduate learning and engagement

Graduate student smiles outside of a University of Iowa building next to a tree

Graduate student success

Supporting the graduate and postdoctoral student experience by building a strong community for learning and discovery

Staff member speaks to another person in her office

Faculty and staff development

Strengthening our recruitment, development, and retention of faculty and staff

Exterior image of Schaeffer Hall in the springtime with students outside sitting on the lawn

Outreach and engagement

Supporting the work of faculty, students, and staff in building partnerships with communities throughout the state of Iowa and beyond