Look to 蹤獲扦-Dearborn: College of Arts, Sciences, & Letters
The University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL) is a cornerstone in shaping the economic, social and cultural landscape of Southeast Michigan and beyond. In a region facing pivotal challenges from economic transitions and environmental issues to evolving educational needs CASL is uniquely positioned to address these complexities with innovative solutions.
By prioritizing accessibility, the college ensures its diverse student population, including first-generation college students, can thrive and contribute meaningfully to these efforts. CASLs commitment to fostering a rich and diverse academic community enables students to develop the skills and perspectives necessary to tackle todays most pressing global and local challenges.
Partnering with CASL provides an opportunity to magnify the colleges impact across our communities. Together, we can drive initiatives that support todays students while laying the groundwork for the longterm prosperity of our region and the world.
Your support is crucial in empowering the college to expand its educational opportunities and inspire the next generation of thinkers, innovators and leaders who will drive meaningful and positive change wherever they go.
Look to Michigan and CASL to help them along the way.
Points of Pride
Hands-On Experience
More than 235 students earn course credit for internships annually, gaining invaluable real-world experience that enhances their academic journey.
Practice-Based Learning
Nearly 300 practice-based learning courses are offered each year, equipping students with practical skills and applied knowledge.
The greatest significance my internship experience has had during these formative times is giving me clarity and direction. It vanquished a lot of my preconceived notions and anxieties about working in an office environment and helped me see that it is a welcoming place with a diversity of people.
Strengthening Our Legacy, Shaping Tomorrow
The College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters is a dynamic hub where education, innovation and discovery converge, delivering a transformative experience for students and faculty.
At CASL, we champion the power of a comprehensive liberal arts education to mold capable professionals and thoughtful, empathetic and forward-thinking leaders. Our graduates are equipped to navigate the complexities of the 21st century.
Our diverse programs and course offerings in the humanities, arts, natural, behavioral and social sciences, and mathematics are meticulously designed to cultivate critical thinking, ethical reasoning and adaptability essential qualities in todays rapidly changing world. We ensure that our students have access to exceptional learning opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom. This includes participating in creative endeavors and research alongside faculty, seeking and completing internship experiences before graduation, and engaging in highly impactful and immersive study abroad opportunities. Together, these experiences give our graduates the competitive edge they need as they move in their lives after completing their education with us.
CASLs impact extends far beyond our campus. Our distinguished faculty, recognized as national and international leaders in their fields, are at the forefront of driving change through their creative and research endeavors, as well as community collaborations. Their work advances knowledge and generates lasting, positive impacts worldwide.
As we continue to expand and adapt our academic offerings to meet the needs of our students and society, we invite you to join us on this journey. Your support is critical in helping us empower the next generation. Together, we can shape a brighter future for all.
Funding the Spectrum of Arts, Sciences & Letters
At 蹤獲扦-Dearborn, scholarships transcend mere financial aid. They serve as a catalyst for opportunity, innovation and success for our students. These essential resources help CASL recruit and retain the most talented and brightest students, transforming their lives and empowering them to pursue their dreams and shape their futures.
Scholarships are often the key to unlocking access to education, which makes pursuing a 蹤獲扦-Dearborn CASL degree a tangible reality for many students. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we can ensure that a world-class education remains attainable for every aspiring professional, regardless of their financial background.
Scholarships also play a crucial role in alleviating potential student debt an especially pressing concern for 蹤獲扦-Dearborn students. Consider these statistics for the incoming 蹤獲扦-Dearborn class of fall 2024:
50% of incoming students were eligible for Pell Grants.
Over 40% of new students (both first-year and transfer) were first-generation college students.
Your support can provide life-changing scholarships for students who are the first in their families to attend college.
Join us in opening doors to education and creating a brighter future for all.
One such way we improve accessibility is through the SOAR Program at 蹤獲扦-Dearborn, which is dedicated to providing comprehensive Support, Opportunities, Advocacy and Resources for adult learners with financial needs who are pursuing their first bachelors degree. Designed specifically for individuals seeking to pivot their careers, improve their economic prospects, complete their education or become the first in their families to earn a Michigan degree, SOAR embodies 蹤獲扦Dearborns commitment to access and affordability. By breaking down financial and systemic barriers, SOAR ensures that more students have the opportunity to achieve a life-changing education, creating pathways to success for those who need it most.
Like the SOAR program, the Center for Math Education housed in CASL exemplifies 蹤獲扦-Dearborns commitment to expanding student access and opportunity. The Center focuses on strengthening mathematical skills in students starting as young as third grade and continuing through high school, preparing them to pursue degrees in math-intensive fields such as the sciences and engineering. Through initiatives like Math Corps and the Help Yourself Academy, the Center serves elementary through high school students in Dearborn and Detroit, offering programs that improve academic performance and build confidence and enthusiasm for learning.
A key priority for the Center for Math Education is securing sustainable funding sources, particularly for its summer camp, which relies heavily on donor support. Currently, the uncertainty of annual funding creates challenges in providing a consistent experience for students and families.
With stable funding, the Center can ensure that its impactful programs continue year after year, creating a dependable foundation for students and their families.
Our programs go beyond academics, fostering a supportive environment where students build confidence, develop resilience, and learn the value of community, says Yunus Zeytuncu, the Centers director. Were deeply committed to making a lasting impact on students, their families, and the community. By joining us as supporters and partners, donors help create opportunities to change lives, encourage educational equity, and promote future STEM leaders. We invite everyone who shares our vision to work alongside us as we grow and serve even more students.
Pursuing knowledge in both the sciences and the humanities is a dynamic and ever-evolving journey where the frontiers of research and understanding continuously expand. Discoveries and insights from a decade ago provide the foundation for new breakthroughs in both fields. At CASL, our students, faculty and staff are deeply committed to addressing emerging challenges and advancing our understanding of the world through the integrated lenses of science and the arts and the humanities. We offer undergraduate and graduate students exceptional opportunities to conduct interdisciplinary research, explore diverse cultures and environments, collaborate with faculty on groundbreaking projects, present their findings at conferences and publish in esteemed academic and creative outlets.
Access to state-of-the-art tools and equipment is crucial for achieving these ambitious goals in the sciences and the humanities. The CASL STEM and Arts & Humanities Equipment Funds are indispensable resources for upgrading, replacing and maintaining our equipment, facilities and creative spaces. These funds enable students to engage in hands-on learning while employing the latest research methodologies and innovative practices. Cutting-edge equipment and resources enhance educational experiences, attracting and retaining high-caliber faculty and researchers and fostering productive collaborations with industry, cultural institutions and academic partners.
By supporting the CASL Equipment Funds, you empower students and their faculty mentors to engage in groundbreaking research and creative endeavors, preparing them for careers at the forefront of innovation and cultural advancement. Your investment fuels a thriving environment where over 80 faculty-student independent research, creative projects, and directed study initiatives are conducted annually, bridging the gap between science, the humanities and technology.
Career Readiness: From Theory to Practice
Over 40 percent of incoming 蹤獲扦-Dearborn students are first-generation college students. They often begin their academic journey without a clear understanding of what to expect from higher education or how it relates to their career aspirations. CASL is steadfast in its commitment to bridging the gap between academic achievement and career readiness. We equip students with the essential skills, experiences and mentorship needed for both academic and professional success.
A cornerstone of this commitment is our required Practice-Based Learning introductory course, which enriches students first-year experience by helping them explore potential majors, plan their coursework and discover opportunities for engagement. This focus on applied learning extends beyond the first year, as CASL offers a diverse array of internships, research projects and community-based experiences that seamlessly connect classroom knowledge to real-world applications.
Other practice-based learning courses offer students the chance to apply, analyze, evaluate and create knowledge, often in collaboration with others and across disciplinary boundaries. For example:
- Upper-level criminology and criminal justice majors are working with a local law enforcement agency to review old cold cases, searching for new evidence that could help solve them.
- An archaeology field study course partners with the National Park Service and the City and County of Monroe to study the River Raisin settlement, which dates from the 1780s to 1813. Once home to a French-Indigenous community, this site was pivotal in the War of 1812 and shaped Native-U.S. relations throughout the 19th century. Students engage in mapping, artifact conservation, analysis and excavation, learning archaeological field methods and gaining hands-on experience with real-world scientific data collection.
Together, we can build a lasting legacy of opportunity and innovation at CASL. Look to 蹤獲扦-Dearborn and become a vital part of crafting a brighter future by supporting our mission today.
Research and Study Abroad
The CASL Student Research and Study Abroad Scholarships provide students with transformative and career-defining opportunities. Our students can carry out their own experiments, travel internationally for environmental studies, collaborate with faculty on groundbreaking research projects, present their work at conferences, and publish their findings in academic journals. Here are some examples of student research projects:
The Role of Cell Chirality in the Detachment of Metastatic Cells from the Primary Tumor examines why the detachment of cancer cells from primary tumors is crucial for understanding metastasis. Our research suggests that differences in cell chirality may compromise the integrity of primary tissues, thereby facilitating the release of metastatic cells.
The Prevalence of Multi-Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria from Michigans Lakes and Rivers studies the increasing presence of antibiotic-resistant genes in urban water systems, which poses risks to water quality and public health. This study screened 66 E. coli strains from local water sources for resistance to 12 antibiotics, highlighting potential health concerns as resistance continues to escalate.
Seed to Oil, Bench and Beyond: Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research and Products enables students to investigate the bioactive components of aromatic plants for their therapeutic, aesthetic, and medicinal applications. They created consumer products that ensure safety and chemical stability and prepared comprehensive product literature.
These diverse opportunities empower CASL students to acquire essential skills that significantly enrich their academic journey and prepare them to address global challenges in the 21st century. Supporting these scholarships means you can invest in developing future leaders poised to make meaningful and transformative contributions to their fields and communities.
Our alumni and donors truly recognize how dedicated the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters is to nurturing inquisitive minds and fostering a breadth of knowledge that empowers our students to become insightful, adaptable and impactful leaders. Your support has been instrumental in providing our students with transformative educational experiences that enrich their critical thinking, creativity and understanding of the world. Your continued generosity will help us to further advance this commitment, embracing interdisciplinary innovation and inquiry to prepare our graduates to thrive and lead in an ever-evolving global landscape.
