For the Community

Welcome to Your College!

In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), we are proud of our commitment to the education of our students, our engagement with the community, and dedication to improving the quality of life in our region. Our faculty are committed to quality education designed to provide students with a broad intellectual foundation for the careers of today and for tomorrow. Approximately 70% our graduates remain in our region. Our faculty lend their expertise to community development projects and engage with schools, museums, and other organizations throughout the region. Our students also engage with their community, such as registering voters through our American Democracy Project and producing and publishing books about local civil rights history. Businesses and non-profits alike praise the work ethic and skills of our student interns. Whether you're looking to grow your organization, improve the environment, advance social justice, or enhance our community in other ways, we would like to partner with you. We think of South Bend as our home and hope that you will find CLAS as your college.

Sincerely,

   Doug McMillen
   Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Help Our Students by Letting Them Help You

Most of our students have spent their entire lives in Michiana, so they understand the needs of its residents and are deeply invested in helping the region thrive. They put their knowledge and skills to work as interns at local companies and non-profit organizations, doing everything from designing websites and writing grants to conduct research and planning events. Our classes often partner with local organizations to work on projects that benefit the community partner while providing students with “real world” experience. Let us know what our students can do for you.

Inquire about an Intern or Partnering with a Class

Post an Internship

70% of our graduates live and work in the Michiana region

Need Help?

Our faculty love to share their knowledge—it’s why they do what they do!  If you’re a teacher, consider inviting one of our faculty to your class: they are happy to do hands-on experiments, teach mini-lessons, or talk to your students about opportunities in their fields.  Our faculty has contributed to a number of initiatives that enhance the quality of life in our region—from consulting on neighborhood revitalization projects to curating museum exhibits. Our three centers—the Civil Rights Heritage Center, Center for a Sustainable Future, and the American Democracy Project—partner with a host of community organizations on projects related to sustainable development, social justice, and civic engagement. We encourage you to reach out to them as well.

Need an Expert?

Events and Activities

Discuss science, literature or history with influential thinkers from around the world at our annual Bender Lecture. Attend one of the many workshops on sustainable living offered through the Center for a Sustainable Future. Gaze at the stars through the giant telescope in the Northside Observatory. Tour African American landmarks through the Civil Rights Heritage Center. The college welcomes the community to join us for these and the many other events that we host throughout the year. To find out more, check out our Events calendar.