This quarter, the school of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS), launched a new program called the Liberal Arts Advantage (LAA), which is designed to help students understand and value a liberal arts education.

According to Dr. Ginni Ishimatsu, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Director of the LAA program, in order to maximize students’ liberal arts education, the LAA program incorporates lectures, workshops, clubs, an advisory council and a mentorship program aimed at promoting intellectual experiences outside the classroom.

The program encourages students to become actively engaged by questioning the world  instead of being passive onlookers.

“The academic curriculum trains students to be more reflective thinkers, act for the public good in a world enriched in education,” said Ishimatsu.

According to Ishimatsu, the last couple of years AHSS faculty have been strategically planning and thinking about how they want to develop and improve the undergraduate experience.

“All AHSS students as well as undergraduates and graduates can use and benefit from the LAA program,” said Ishimatsu.

Ishimatsu has already planned several events and programs aimed to helping AHSS students advance their careers and education.

The first event held for the Liberal Arts Advantage program was the pre-Presidential Debate. David Sanger, distinguished White House correspondent, came to campus on September 20 to speak about his book “Confront and Conceal.”

“We also have a mentorship program in which we match successful AHSS alumni with current students,” said Ishimatsu. “It’s a fantastic resource; it really helps students see what is needed to get a job after graduating, or how to work your way up there, and what they want out of life.”

Through these LAA opportunities, Ishimatsu said students will develop skills that will be useful in a job setting.

“The LAA program teaches students excellent critical thinking and writing skills, as well as creativity,” said Ishimatsu.

In addition to providing academic advising, the program offers students opportunities to build competence in marketing themselves for professional jobs.

“We’ve organized a series of ‘Courses to Careers’ events that bring in keynote speakers,” said Ishimatsu.

While the LAA program has only been in operation since the beginning of the school year, according to Ishimatsu, the AHSS faculty is already looking into creating an office space for the LAA program. A location for the office has not yet been determined.

“Our plans are still tentative,” said Ishimatsu. “We are envisioning it to be a meeting place for students to come and get information; career and academic advising, support and internship search programs.”

The next LAA event will be “Graduating: Now What?,” a lecture for seniors will be held tonight at the Joy Burns Center at 6 p.m.

Visit www.du.edu/ahss for a complete calendar of upcoming LAA Courses to Careers events as well as internship, academic and career advising.