About

When you take classes in CAHSS, you join DU's largest and most diverse academic unit. You'll gain the skills and hands-on experience necessary to succeed across disciplines in today's ever-changing global society.

Letter from the Dean

The College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences is a dynamic and diverse community of professionals and students committed to promoting learning that will transform the world. We foster critical thought, research and creativity that supports and empowers students and faculty to engage with DU, our Denver communities and beyond. Everything that our students, faculty and staff accomplish makes it immensely inspiring and rewarding to be dean. 

We are a thriving college of artists, musicians, scholars, teachers, researchers and scientists. Our faculty, students and alumni have produced award-winning documentary films and built partnerships that lead to transformational experiences like the DU Prison Arts Initiative. Our students are involved in engaged, applied learning, taking their coursework into the community to empower women in the workplace and through the Casa de Paz Learning Community. Our researchers put their knowledge into practice to support community training to reduce adverse childhood experiences for Colorado families. 

Through our work, we engage with every undergraduate on campus and more than 300 graduate students. 

Business students take history courses with our scholars whose study of maps has national influence. Engineering students take anthropology courses with our researchers who consult with organizations around the world on ground-penetrating radar. Math and science students take art courses with practicing artists who explore the biodiversity of the Amazon through sound experiments.  

We are national leaders in what it means to be a college of liberal and creative arts. For example, the Center for Innovation in the Liberal and Creative Arts received $250,000 in funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to develop innovative faculty-led startup initiatives; these will serve the community, unleash creativity and improve the student experience by developing opportunities for our students to engage in Keystone experiences

We are committed to providing our students with the high-impact and applied experiences that prepare them for future careers. We provide resources and support our students as they take on internships, research and travel. Students like Alice Major, who interned at History Colorado’s research-intensive podcast “Lost Highways,” or Zach Thanasilangkul, who used a research grant to better understand actionable steps toward lifting marginalized communities out of oppression and poverty in Cleveland, Ohio. And, we see our students go on to make meaningful contributions to their communities as alumni. 

Our College sits at the heart of DU’s commitment to the public good. We are proud to see our students, alumni, faculty and staff carry forward this commitment through their work. Stay up to date on CAHSS news and events; follow us on Facebook and Instagram. I look forward to seeing you on campus or at one of our many events in Denver and across the country. 

Rhonda M. Gonzales, Dean 

Dean

 
Dr. Rhonda M. Gonzales

Rhonda M. Gonzales

Dean

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View of DU's Campus.

A Strategic Vision for Our Future

See how we're reimagining creative and liberal arts education with our Keystone Strategic Plan.

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Inclusive Excellence

Just as we draw strength from the variety of programs and disciplines in our College, the diversity of our students, faculty and staff benefits the entire community. Find out what we're doing to encourage equity and support all members of the College in pursuit of educational excellence.

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What's Happening at CAHSS

Kevin Willmott
Oscar Winner Comes to DU

Screenwriter Kevin Willmott brought the "BlacKkKlansman" to campus in April for a screening and Q&A session with DU students. The DU newsroom caught up with him before the screening to talk about his background and his work on the film.

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meow wolf ride
Faculty Design Meow Wolf Ride

Meow Wolf recruited a half dozen Denver artists to work on a new ride at Elitch Gardens, including DU faculty members Laleh Mehran and Chris Coleman

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DU Campus
Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Program and Major Plans

CAHSS is moving forward with the development of a Critical Race and Ethnic Studies program and major at DU. This is a significant step in advancing our university’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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