Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at Grand Valley State University. It is an honor to lead a diverse and dynamic college where faculty and staff are deeply committed to supporting students. We are distinctive in both range and depth. CLAS students can choose from more than 50 bachelor’s degrees and several advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, humanities, the fine and performing arts, and the social sciences. We are proud to provide every Grand Valley student with the opportunity to experience the transformative power of a liberal arts and sciences education.

At the center of our mission is the CLAS Voyage, our signature initiative designed to provide every single CLAS student with equitable access to a career-connected liberal arts and sciences education. First-year students embark on their voyage through interactive learning communities, peer mentoring, and co-curricular activities that welcome them into a vibrant community and set their foundation for success. Our faculty have embedded experiential learning opportunities into the curriculum of every CLAS major, ensuring that students are able to integrate and apply their classroom learning to real-world contexts throughout their college experience. 

CLAS students and faculty explore profound artistic, scientific, cultural, and social questions that illuminate the human experience, deepen our understanding of how we relate to each other, and explain and interpret the world we live in. Our students study the birth of stars and tsunamis, conduct research that contributes to the health of our magnificent lakes and rivers, make a film with professional actors and directors, tackle difficult ethical questions, earn a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and engage with a variety of communities through meaningful service and outreach.

I invite you to discover more about the fascinating and impactful work that is taking place across the college. In CLAS, curiosity leads to discovery, learning translates into action, and every experience contributes to shaping thoughtful, engaged citizens prepared to navigate an ever-changing world.

Donovan Anderson, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences