The arts and sciences prepare students for a lifetime of success by developing inventive employees and thoughtful citizens. They are also vital to a vibrant culture and democracy. How?

Building important
work and life skills
Students majoring in the liberal arts and sciences see bigger increases in “critical thinking, complex reasoning, and writing skills” than those in other majors.ii These are skills employers look for when hiring, and can take a person to the top.iii The CEOs of Bank of America, Logitech, American International Group, Slack Technologies, and YouTube all have arts and sciences educations.
take action
80 percent of employers say that all students, regardless of their chosen field, should acquire broad knowledge in the arts and sciences.iv Why? Through the arts and sciences, individuals develop knowledge and skills that cross disciplines. This gives them a “leg up” in a constantly shifting economy. By peak earnings age, arts and sciences majors have on average out-earned peers with professional or pre-professional fields.v take action

Increasing cultural and civic engagement
You are key to this movement.
There are quick and simple ways to help.
- Eric Abrahamsen, “A Liberal Arts Education, Made in China,” The New York Times: July 3, 2012; Pericles Lewis, “Asia Invests in Liberal Arts: US Higher Education Expands Abroad” Harvard International Review, Cambridge, MA: Spring 2013
- Richard Arum and Josipa Roska, Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses, Chicago, IL: 2011.
- National Association of Colleges and Employers, “Job Outlook 2013,” Bethlehem, PA: 2013.
- AAC&U, “It Takes More Than A Major,” Washington, D.C.: 2013
- AAC&U and NCHEMS, “Liberal Arts Graduates and Employment: Setting the Record Straight,” Washington, D.C.: 2014
- Robert Root-Bernstein et al., “Arts Fosters Scientific Success,” Journal of Psychology of Science and Technology, Vol. 1, No. 2, New York, NY: 2008
- D. Sunshine Hillygus, “The Missing Link: Exploring the Relationship Between Higher Education and Political Engagement,” Political Behavior, Vol. 27, No. 1, New York, NY: March 2005. College Board, “Education Pays: 2013,” New York, NY: 2013.