A Road Map to CAS
Arts & Sciences in Action helps undergrads make the most of their studies
Across countless extracurricular and cocurricular opportunities that include faculty-mentored research, the Hub cross-college challenge, student clubs, service learning, study abroad, entrepreneurship and hackerspaces, and internships, CAS presents students with myriad experiential opportunities. But with so many options, where to begin?
That’s why CAS is creating the Arts & Sciences Connector, a new resource to empower students to identify and access all that the college has to offer.
“The Connector will help students explore the range of experiential learning opportunities available to them and how to link these opportunities with their academic journey and professional development goals,” says Margaret Bolter, associate dean for strategic initiatives. “It will support students in building and articulating the bridges between their experiences and in doing so, more effectively apply what they are learning in their CAS liberal arts and sciences experience to their lives after BU.”
The Connector is being launched through a $2.5 million gift from an alumnus. Its director, who will start on December 1, will themselves be a “connector,” interacting with academic advising, the Center for Career Development, alumni relations, and other offices, and creating a database of experiential learning opportunities.
“Every day, our alumni are doing amazing things and using liberal arts degrees in different ways,” says Steve Jarvi, associate dean for student academic life. “I’ve been advising for close to 30 years and students who come in loving their English major, for example, still need some convincing that that’s going to work for them beyond their degree.
“This new initiative will allow them to see the connection between their learning and real-world experiences, preparing them to be adaptable, resilient, and ready to succeed.”