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Transformative Thinking

Bold yellow and red graphic with text on the left reading: “Embrace and Develop TRANSFORMATIVE THINKING.” On the right, a student sits at a computer station, intently analyzing a digital project displayed on a wide monitor.

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The Four Commitments:
Transformative Thinking 
Boundless Creativity 
Expansive Empathy 
Meaningful Futures

IN ARHU, WE FOSTER THE KIND OF THINKING that expands perspectives, challenges assumptions, and inspires change. We welcome bold ideas and nurture critical, creative, and interdisciplinary approaches that not only interpret the world—but shape it. 

Transformative thinking is a mindset we cultivate across classrooms, studios, and research spaces. It empowers our students, faculty, and staff to imagine new possibilities, address complex challenges, and lead with empathy, curiosity, and purpose. 

We thoughtfully process the world around us, both past and present, exploring context and culture, communication, and critique. Through this transformative study of the human experience, we foster critical thinking that drives action, sparks innovation, and deepens understanding—opening new perspectives on how we see the world, live within it, and shape its future. We prepare our community not only to thrive in a changing world, but to help build a better one. 

Transformative thinking is what distinguishes ARHU—its education, research, creativity, and culture. In thinking transformatively across the college, we ensure we are constantly reimagining learning and addressing grand challenges in our teaching, research, and creativity.

A student sits at a dual-monitor workstation, analyzing a digital project on screen. She leans forward thoughtfully with her chin resting on her hand, highlighting ARHU’s integration of technology and creativity.
ARHU_Large_NedaAtanasoski2_StrategicPlan

Two students sit on the floor in front of a large interactive art installation. Bright neon projections and bold 3D text fill the wall with words and phrases, creating an immersive digital environment.

Goals

  1. Advance interdisciplinary scholarship, teaching, and learning that transforms and furthers the abilities of our faculty, staff, students, and partners to tackle pressing challenges.
  2. Deepen community engagement and foster cross-campus collaboration, creating innovative academic programs that inspire students and create new pathways for research, learning, and career success.
  3. Demonstrate and amplify ARHU’s impact through public scholarship, creative work, and storytelling that elevate the arts and humanities as engines of change.
A student smiles while standing in front of a bold geometric light projection of concentric squares, the pattern casting shadows across her face and shirt.

Strategies

  1. Invest in and incentivize research fellowships, curricular innovations, and leadership roles within and outside the college.
  2. Develop new and expand existing college/community partnerships that demonstrate the impact of the arts and humanities.
  3. Create and grow innovative academic programs that excite students, develop intellectual nimbleness, and provide career pathways.
  4. Pursue development and advancement opportunities for ARHU research centers and labs.
  5. Foster a culture of learning and curiosity among ARHU staff, encouraging their participation in college and department programs and activities.