Message from the Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

With a dynamic interdisciplinary faculty, a growing portfolio of innovative research and creative activity, and its strategic location in one of the great urban centers of the world, the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) at Stevens Institute of Technology is poised to be a premier organization working at the intersection of technology and the liberal arts.

Our world is complex and transforming rapidly. A tech-powered education must teach students to navigate this complexity in order to be prepared for the grand challenges and opportunities of our era. The skills and cognitive capacities provided by a liberal education are well known, including critical thinking, creativity, ethics, cultural literacy, and communication skills. To be resilient and successful, however, students will also need computational skills, data literacy, and the capacity for systems-oriented thinking.

In the next 20 years, new professions and jobs will appear that we cannot yet imagine, but which will require strong technological expertise along with broader skills. In his book “Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” Joseph Aoun writes, “Fifty years ago, no one could have imagined that user-experience designer would be a legitimate profession, but here we are. Clearly, work is changing ... college should shape students into professionals but also creators.” HASS's mission is to provide an education that cuts across disciplines, preparing students to be professionals and creators.

That's why HASS offers a range of degree programs encompassing the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Our students examine the social impacts of new technologies. They learn how to use software and hardware to explore creativity and artistry. Students also learn core skills including software programming, data analytics, and data visualization.

Employers increasingly demand graduates who combine these technical skills with the ability to think critically, creatively, and compassionately. Graduates of HASS enter the workforce with the technical expertise needed to adapt, thrive, and lead this ever-evolving landscape.

Sincerely, 

Kelland Thomas
Dean, The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences