Alma Matters May 2025 Newsletter
This story collection highlights how interdisciplinary liberal arts education contributes to healthcare innovation, health equity, and community well-being. Meet music therapists helping patients heal through sound, bilingual scholars bridging language gaps in healthcare access, and sociologists uncovering how racism impacts health outcomes. Learn how CLA students pursuing health careers build essential skills—like cultural competency, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking—through communication studies, anthropology courses, and more.
Read this month's feature story, How the Liberal Arts Improve Health and Well-being.
Dean's Corner
"At the College of Liberal Arts, we have long recognized that health and well-being are not just medical or scientific issues, they are deeply human ones. Understanding how race, class, language, culture, and history shape health outcomes is essential to building a more equitable and effective healthcare system."
Stories & More
UMN's landmark twin research center has followed 10,000+ pairs for decades, creating a treasure trove of data that has produced nearly 900 scientific publications.
Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research: Tracking Psychological Development for 35 Years
The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at the University of Minnesota is proud to announce two national honors recognizing its leadership in advancing student career readiness.
CLA Recognized Nationally for Career Readiness Innovation and Impact
The ReEntry Lab, sponsored by English Professors V. V. Ganeshananthan and Kathryn Nuernberger, created a supportive space at the University for justice-impacted writers navigating post-incarceration.
ReEntry Lab Liberal Arts Engagement Hub Residency Concludes with Public Reading
The experiences of Asian and African communities in the US are deeply connected. Faculty in CLA explore this fascinating intersection with their research.
Beyond Black and White: The Intersection of Asian American and African American Experiences
This impact study provides a comprehensive analysis of the University of Minnesota’s contributions to Minnesota’s economy, workforce, tax revenue, and community well-being.
What does a sustainable future look like? CLA students have some ideas. In honor of Earth Day, read about four students tackling today’s most pressing environmental problems.
Liberal Arts in Action: CLA Students Work Towards Creating a More Sustainable Future
A growing passion for the performing arts inspires a New York couple to make current and estate gifts to their undergraduate schools.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025
- Check out Graduate Commencement photos on CLA's Facebook
- See photos from and videos from both Undergraduate ceremonies
- Read reflections from twelve members of CLA's Class of 2025
Front Page News
Check out these recent headlines highlighting how the liberal arts are not only the heart of the University, but more critical than ever for understanding the world and our place in it.
Geography professor Emily Fairfax is featured in this National Geographic article, explaining the role of beavers in fire-mitigation strategy.
Assistant Professor and Guggenheim Fellow Pao Houa Her (art) was interviewed by Minnesota Public Radio as part of their May “ChangeMakers” series.
Professor of philosophy Valerie Tiberius is quoted in this HuffPost article, exploring the line between AI companions supplementing friendships and supplanting them.
Professor Timothy R. Johnson, graduate student Grace Hertzog, and alumna Rachael Houston chart the history of the Court's role for The London School of Economics and Political Science.
UMN School of Music alumnus Colin Bracewell is gearing up for a Varsity Theater headlining show. Read how his educational experience helped prepare him for this moment in the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Paul Soper, senior lecturer and internship director for the Department of Political Science, said news coverage plays a big role in how much attention is paid to local politicians for the Minnesota Daily.
Support Health and Healing in CLA
Support health and healing through the liberal arts. Your gift to these funds helps advance student success and innovative care in fields like music therapy, speech-language-hearing sciences, and healthcare more broadly.
