About

Home to the largest number of majors on campus, our college provides a diverse range of learning opportunities in the visual and performing arts, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences and technology fields.

With 14 departments and a number of interdisciplinary and special programs, the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences offers over 70 majors for students to find their passions. Our graduates have the experiences they need for learning and living in a rapidly changing society, and leave ready to succeed in a wide variety of careers.

image of students painting a diversity mural

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As a college with over 70 different majors ranging from art to science to religion and more, there’s a diverse group of students taking classes here. We value differences and provide a supportive learning environment to all students regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, ability and other characteristics We strive to respect others and learn from them, and to create an inclusive community that brings out everyone’s full potential.    

To promote diversity in our college, we take part in programs such as Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), a national program that aims to increase the quality and quantity of students from currently underrepresented populations who successfully get undergraduate degrees in STEM programs.

Our School of Music is also home to the George Walker Society – a group dedicated to preserving and promoting classical compositions and spirituals composed by African-Americans.
Student organizations like the Women in Computing Club also promote diversity on campus by working to keep and recruit women in the computer science department, while the Multicultural Theatrical Society showcases underrepresented voices in theatre through unique productions and outreach events.         

Students also have the chance to change lives and flourish through involvement in the community. UNI students are a critical part of the Spectrum Project, a performing arts program for children of differing abilities in the Cedar Valley. Each performer pairs with a buddy to help explore music, movement, drama and art in weekly meetings.

Another program that gives CHAS students a chance to immerse in diversity is a class at the YWCA that teaches English as a second language. What started as a plan to teach Spanish speakers English has turned into a program that includes natives of Mexico, Congo, Angola, Burma and other countries. Students learn how to communicate via universal languages, while gaining valuable real-world experience and learning empathy toward those who face barriers in communication.

What makes CHAS special?

Students benefit from a comprehensive strategy for success: engaged learning opportunities, personalized attention from faculty, manageable class sizes, access to specialized and advanced technology, and a vast array of majors, minors, certificates and coursework to customize their education

We also engage with all students at the university through the many core courses offered at UNI. Our classes offer non-majors a foundation in the humanities, arts and sciences, which help students develop an ability to think critically about the world around us, communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences, and work to solve complex problems. By instilling skills for success, CHAS works to prepare all who pass through its doors for advancement in their careers and function as lifelong learners.