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Meaningful Futures

Bold yellow and red graphic with text on the left reading: “Pave a Path to MEANINGFUL FUTURES.” On the right, a photo of graduates in black gowns and red stoles seated in an auditorium, smiling, clapping, and celebrating.of Education, Artificial Intell

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

UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD—past and present, near and far—is essential to a well-rounded education and a meaningful life. In ARHU we inspire, challenge, and support students, faculty, and staff to become “worldwise” through intentional learning, global awareness, and ongoing dialogue across differences.

We are committed to ensuring students understand that the values, knowledge, and skills they gain in ARHU will prepare them for a range of meaningful careers.

Undergraduate and graduate students across ARHU engage with innovative courses and transformational experiences that deepen their understanding of human expression, thought, and creativity. These opportunities extend beyond the classroom—on campus, throughout the region, and across the globe.

Equally, we cultivate a workplace where staff and faculty thrive personally and professionally. Through support for research, professional development, and advancement, we invest in the growth of our people and the communities we serve.

A large group of students in graduation caps and gowns sit in an auditorium, clapping and smiling during the commencement ceremony. Bright red stoles and honor cords add pops of color to the rows of graduates.
ARHU_Large_AudrenDowning2_StrategicPlan

Three people gather around laptops at the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities (MITH). They collaborate while smiling, with the MITH logo visible on the wall behind them.

Goals

  1. Reimagine learning in the arts and humanities through creative curriculum innovations and curating high impact learning experiences that prepare students to navigate and lead in the rapidly changing world.
  2. Strengthen ARHU’s advising and professional development services to ensure the college is equipped to provide students with support and opportunities in line with curricular transformation and growth.
  3. Advance professional growth pathways for staff and faculty across the college.
At a graduation ceremony, a graduate in cap and gown warmly embraces a woman in a green shirt. Both smile with eyes closed, surrounded by faculty and other graduates, symbolizing support and accomplishment.

Strategies

  1. Better support ARHU students throughout their academic journeys, based on the work of the ARHU College Requirement Task Force.
  2. Bolster ARHU’s Career Development efforts to serve both undergraduate and graduate students and facilitate the college’s career-curriculum initiatives.
  3. Update our curricular and experiential learning/internship offerings to ensure students are prepared for next steps.
  4. Expand leadership opportunities for the ARHU community.
  5. Invest in professional development and mentorship programs for staff and develop clear career pathways for various staff positions.
  6. Ensure faculty promotion guidelines, policies, and processes are clear and more inclusive of the breadth of faculty research and scholarly activities throughout the college.
  7. Develop mentorship and developmental programs for associate professors to prepare for promotion.
  8. Enhance student learning and career pathways by leveraging out-of classroom experiences, engagement with alumni, and UMD’s location advantage.