The College of
LIBERAL ARTS
Student Spotlight
From OSU to UP: How Sophie Peterson illustrates her career
Graphic design alumna and now visual designer for the University of Portland, Sophie Peterson still relies on skills she learned in CLA’s graphic design program
Sophie Peterson, ‘18, grew up in SW Portland to a family of Beavers. After a visit to OSU with some friends from high school, she would follow the footsteps of many other members of her family. Always a “doodler” and an active member of her high school’s yearbook class, Peterson also knew she wanted to pursue graphic design.
“I just loved the beauty of campus and the small town vibe of Corvallis,” said Peterson. “I also knew CLA’s graphic design program was going to be the right fit for me to help further my design skills.”
CLA Leadership
The College of Liberal Arts 2023-2028 Strategic Plan
The College of Liberal Arts builds a richer, more creative tomorrow through the rigorous study of human history, human expression, and the human mind. In the next five years, we will pivot towards the knowledge economies of the future.
In the next five years, we will pivot towards the knowledge economies of the future. Today's students will chart their professional paths in a wider variety of fields than ever before, including many that don't yet exist. They seek an education that universities of the past could not have envisioned. We must meet their aspirations. CLA will be a bridge-builder, elevating collaborative opportunities and amplifying the visibility of innovative research and creative work.
We will integrate the arts in research disciplines across the University. We will create globally-relevant opportunities for all students, including those who cannot physically travel abroad. We will prioritize new technologies and pathways for student learning. The College of Liberal Arts will lead Oregon State University as a model of higher education for the public good.
CLA BY THE NUMBERS
5,026
The right size for your education
The College of Liberal Arts is the proud academic home of 5,026 students. With 1 faculty member for every 15 undergraduate students, you'll receive a personalized education paired with a robust liberal arts college experience.
World Class Instruction
Our dynamic, intellectual community of 336 expert faculty tackle the world’s biggest issues from social justice to food insecurity. They conduct symphonies and design in virtual reality. They study the past to forge solutions for the future.
336
4
4-Year Graduation Guarantee
CLA is the only college at Oregon State that guarantees you'll graduate in 4 years. Our graduates go on to successful careers in medicine, technology, the arts, media, law, policy, education, business and more. Your path is wide open.
Research Highlights
3D scanning of Silver Falls State Park historic structures
Researchers from the School of Communication partnered with the College of Engineering to help preserve the legacy of Silver Falls State Park.
The increasing frequency of climate-change induced wildfires in Oregon threaten heritage sites throughout the state. Supported by a grant from the Oregon Heritage State Historic Preservation Office, the multidisciplinary team, co-led by Senior Instructor of New Media Communications Todd Kesterson, used three-dimensional scanning to produce digital replicas of three of the park’s historical structures.
Faculty Focus
Advocating for swamps and students
An alumna of the School of Writing, Literature, and Film, Brittni Wisner reflects on her journey from Alaska to the College of Liberal Arts
English composition instructor and now interim head academic advisor, Brittni Wisner, M.A. ‘24, is a familiar face to many who frequently visit Moreland Hall. From growing up in Palmer, Alaska, then attending the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau for English literature, both her undergraduate and graduate research examines monstrosity in literature. Read more >
With 290 faculty members, the College of Liberal Arts has the collective experience to guide our students to greatness.
Meet our Facultydonation innovation
Visionary Donations Funding our Future: PRAx
“The Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts will serve as a unique and dynamic education and performance center and will be a showcase destination for the visual, musical, theater and cultural arts for students, faculty, campus visitors and Oregonians,” said Larry Rodgers, dean of OSU’s College of Liberal Arts.
A lead gift of $25 million for the complex has been provided by Patricia Reser. Additional gifts include a $2 million commitment from the family of the late Lynne Detrick of West Linn to build a new 500-seat concert hall to offer a high-caliber venue for both listeners and performers, Rodgers said. The OSU Foundation continues to seek philanthropic support for the center, and OSU will also seek state bonding from the 2020 Oregon Legislature to help support the project.
Explore PRAx