About

Our 180+ faculty and staff members serve more than 2,000 students — and they are committed to preparing the next generation of leaders, thinkers, doers and makers to transform communities locally and around the world.

Our programs incorporate hands-on learning at every level of instruction. Our students develop skills in the arts, like mural design, cinematography and digital sound recording. They examine social and cultural phenomena through critical lenses in the humanities, languages and cultures. They explore social, political and economic behaviors through the social sciences.

Whatever Otters choose to study here — and whether they’re completing a CAHSS major or minor, or fulfilling general education requirements — they will receive personalized attention and plenty of real-world experiences. 

Our Mission

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences offers a liberal arts education that fosters critical thinking, creativity, communication, social responsibility, intercultural competence, and lifelong learning. We advance knowledge of the human experience and empower students to thrive in a complex world.

Our Vision

We aspire to provide local access to a world-class education and serve as a cultural, artistic, and intellectual hub within the community.

Our Strategic Priorities

• Promoting academic excellence
• Fostering student success
• Nurturing an inclusive culture and diverse community 
• Pursuing operational excellence

Our Governance

Our bylaws establish the framework for meaningful shared governance within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. These bylaws shall operate as a complement to department-level governance within the college. 

View Bylaws

Our Experiences and Outcomes

CAHSS students’ outcomes are evident in their impact on the community and our disciplines. Among their accomplishments, our students: 

• publish their work in journals like Culture, Society and Praxis
• present at national conferences and regional gatherings, including the American Psychological Association and the Festival of Languages, Cultures, and Ideas. 
• screen their films at national festivals like South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Berlin Film Festival
• exhibit original art in our gallery spaces on campus 
• publish poetry and other works of creative writing in the student-produced outlet, In the Ords
• perform original music and create sound installations
• impact our communities through project-based learning like the Monterey Bay Justice Project, public speaker series like the Social Justice Colloquium, and events like Día de los Muertos