CAS Community,

You are probably well aware of the ways in which the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the College of Arts and Sciences engage and interact with Birmingham and, more broadly, the state of Alabama. At the local level, our Department of Theatre collaborated with Red Mountain Theatre this past spring to present the lively “Sister Act.” In addition, our biology and chemistry students often volunteer at the McWane Science Center and with the Cahaba Riverkeeper. Several of our students have also participated in internships that have made a significant and enduring impact on Birmingham, including a groundbreaking historic marker project between our Department of History and Temple Beth El. The list of local work is long and inspiring, and we only expect to see more projects underway this upcoming academic year.

Of course, these experiences benefit our community—at the same time, I know that the projects transform our students personally and intellectually. We are proud of the College’s commitment to the community, and we are equally proud of our growing footprint globally. Increasingly, we are engaging in mutually beneficial relationships with communities abroad and preparing our students to thrive in a world that is more interconnected than ever.

One area of the College in which our global footprint is evidenced is in our study abroad opportunities. Recently, we had students and faculty travel as far away as Kenya, and we witnessed the largest study abroad cohort in UAB’s history travel to Sweden. These international experiences are expanding students’ understanding of how the knowledge they gain on campus can be applied globally.

Likewise, students from the Department of Music are regularly participating in international performance tours. This past summer, the UAB Concert Choir participated in a 10-day tour across Italy. During the trip, students performed in Venice, Florence, and Rome. I know as much as our students learned about Italy, many of those in the audience learned a few things about Alabama and UAB too. Those students brought UAB to the world!

There are some ways in which the increasing globalization of CAS is a reflection of work done on campus too. The departments of History and Anthropology provide students with an appreciation and understanding of various cultures’ evolutions, migrations, and contributions to the world. Also, our international studies program uses an interdisciplinary perspective to help students understand the intersections of the world, so that they are prepared to excel in global careers.

And, of course, our award-winning faculty members in the Department of World Languages and Literatures provide our students with the ability to communicate with those for whom English is not their native or first language, while also sharing knowledge about the culture and history of other groups. One faculty member, Ling Ma, is expanding her reach by encouraging local middle and high school students to dive into Chinese language and culture through her NSA-funded STARTALK Chinese Camp. What a wonderful way to combine the local and global priorities of the College.

Go Blazers!

Kecia M. Thomas
Dean
College of Arts and Sciences