CLA Community
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Social justice is a core value in CLA, and we believe that supporting students in their identities and communities is essential to ensuring their academic success.
CLA students come from all different backgrounds, ethnicities, geographic regions, and perspectives. Together in community, we engage with each other to increase awareness and empathetic understanding, as our students develop the Core Career Competency of engaging diversity.
Student Groups
Many student groups are affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts, allowing you to meet and connect with students who have similar interests.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program
CLA is home to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program, which provides a unique space for students. It offers not only culturally-relevant academic advising, but also important social justice programming — from talks and symposiums to concerts, cultural celebrations, and off-campus trips.
The MLK Program's mission is to foster students' engagement with and understanding of complex issues of power, privilege, and social justice.
CLA President's Emerging Scholars Program
CLA's President's Emerging Scholars Program addresses the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and characteristics, including urban students, first-generation college students, rural students, student parents, students with disabilities, students of color, older students, and non-native speakers of English.
CLA PES students participate in advising and activities designed to provide the academic and personal support necessary to achieve academic success and graduate on time.
Student Leadership
Opportunities to lead are all around you. Many of them are right here in the College of Liberal Arts!
CLA Student Board is the official undergraduate student government in CLA. Contact clauge@umn.edu if you are interested in joining.
CLA Student Ambassadors talk with prospective students about life in CLA. Contact cla-ambass@umn.edu if you are interested in joining.
Peer Advisors work in CLA Student Services to assist students with their academic advising questions. Contact class@umn.edu if you are interested in joining.
Career Peers work in CLA Career Services to assist students with their career planning questions. Contact clacareer@umn.edu if you are interesting in joining.
FYE Section Leaders are mentors to students in CLA's First-Year Experience courses. Contact claose@umn.edu if you are interested in joining.
Alumni Network
CLA students can use the Maroon and Gold Network, an online platform that allows you to get advice from U of M alumni around the world who have volunteered to share it.