Fall Semester 2025

The rapid pace of technological advancements and their ripple effects are forcing all of us to confront complex issues around governance, ethics, and societal impact. Unfortunately, in some areas of politics and as reported by the media, the value of liberal arts education has been under attack.

However, as I’ve noted before, it’s precisely during quickly changing times like these that a foundation in liberal arts becomes more important than ever. Critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration, and ethics are essential tools for navigating the complexities brought about by emerging technologies. Take AI as a prime example. It's revolutionizing our world, but it also demands careful examination by educated minds about its potential impacts, uses, benefits, and risks.

As Goldman's George Lee recently stated in a Bloomberg Television interview, “The usage of AI will pave the way for the ‘revenge of the liberal arts.’” He emphasized that “some of the skills that are really salient to cooperate with this new form of intelligence in the world are critical thinking, understanding logic and rhetoric, the ability to be creative.” He further explained, “It will allow non-technical people to accomplish a lot more—and, by the way, begin to perform what were formerly believed to be technical tasks.” 

Therefore, investing in liberal arts education is not just about preserving knowledge, it’s about equipping students with the critical competencies necessary to thoughtfully shape the future. 

President Bill Sanders' comments at his inauguration and State of the University address demonstrates his and RIT's commitment to leading the way in this changing world while championing the enduring value of a liberal arts education. As Sanders noted, RIT will leverage "strategic actions," "community values," and "collective wisdom" to "re-invent the future" and proactively navigate uncertainty. 

Again, we will face many challenges this year, but I’m optimistic we can meet those challenges with reasoned discourse, rigorous analysis informed by data and evidence, and a careful ethical consideration of our actions and the path forward.

—Kelly Norris Martin, Ph.D.
Dean, RIT College of Liberal Arts

Flash forward fifty years, and what will it take for our workforce, our communities, or our societies to thrive? While none of us has a magic crystal ball, the new Global Futures undergraduate degree program developed by the RIT College of Liberal Arts aims to equip grads with the mindset, tools, and skills to anticipate and envision a pathway for future flourishing.

With more than 3,000 students participating in the performing arts at RIT, including a record 601 new Performing Arts Scholars and more than 50 performing arts-focused student clubs, it’s not hard to find instrumental, vocal, theatrical, and dance performances on and around campus throughout the year.

RIT's Department of History hosted students, faculty, and special guests for two Erie Canal Boat tours guided by our own experts. "The Erie Canal and Ecological Change" was the topic for the tour led by Christine Keiner, Chair of the RIT Department of Science, Technology, and Society, and Associate Professor of History Michael Brown presented "The Strategic and Military Implications of the Erie Canal." 

The excursions were offered as part of Corn Hill Navigations’ “Unlocking the Past: Navigating the Erie Canal’s First 200 Years” speaker series that explores the values, customs, ideas, and creativity sparked by the Erie Canal and its impact on upstate NY, our nation, and beyond.

Photos provided by Tamar Carroll, Kelly Martin, and Nathaniel Bartsch.