University of San Diego: College of Arts and Sciences

10/14/2026

Over the last 10 years, the Humanities Center at USD has brought students, faculty and staff together to explore what it means to be truly human. Since opening its doors in 2016, the Humanities Center has served as a place that fosters the “free exploration of ideas,” as A. Vassiliadis Distinguished Director of the Humanities Center Brian Clack, PhD, shares.

Complete with a vibrant gallery and community gathering spaces, the center focuses on highlighting the importance of the humanities in all disciplines. The launch of the Keck Undergraduate Humanities Research Fellows Program is one of the center’s earliest accomplishments, serving as a tool for students to work closely with a faculty member for a year on a research project. From meaningful conversations, engaging speakers and art exhibitions, the center continues to provide a space for the USD community to engage with the humanities in many impactful ways.

This semester, the Humanities Center is celebrating this momentous anniversary by hosting its On Being Human series every Tuesday at 4 p.m., where speakers from a diverse range of disciplines from across campus offer their perspectives on the many facets of being human. At its core, the series reflects the center’s founding purpose: to foster dialogue, encourage discovery and bring together diverse perspectives from across the University of San Diego.

A new exhibit, Centering Art: Acquisitions, 2016-2026, is also on view through Nov. 25 in the Humanities Center, located in Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall, Room 200.

Keep an eye out for a feature and retrospective on the Center’s accomplishments in the new Arts & Sciences magazine coming out this week! USD Humanities Center

Over the last 10 years, the Humanities Center at USD has brought st...

10/09/2026

“Tenacious.”
“Unpretentious.”
“Kind.”
“Unguarded.”
“Passionate.”
“Joyful.”
“Phenomenal.”

These are only a few of the words that spring to mind when colleagues and leaders talk about Professor Emerita of History Iris Engstrand, PhD.

Engstrand was a scholar in Spanish colonial history in California and author of more than 25 books who taught at the University of San Diego’s College of Arts and Sciences for nearly 50 years. She passed away on Sept. 12 at the age of 91, but her presence lives on in the memories swirling in the offices and classrooms on campus.

Emerging from these conversations is a portrait of a woman energized by curiosity, learning and relationships, committed to mentorship and support of students and faculty as well as the well-being of the USD campus and community. She surmounted obstacles with characteristic aplomb. Overwhelmingly, Engstrand is remembered for her groundbreaking role as the first female professor to teach in the then-College for Men at USD in 1968.

“She was not a Catholic, she was divorced, and it was not an easy path for her,” says Professor Del Dickson, PhD, a colleague from the Department of Political Science and International Relations. “But she is a bulldozer. She just goes to work and doesn’t let the little stuff bother her. It’s as much her personality as it is skill, and she had the personality to adapt. If she was going to be the first, she was the perfect first.”

As her daughter, Professor of Communication Kristin Moran, PhD, tells it, Engstrand had been teaching at Long Beach City College and as an adjunct at the University of Southern California — where she earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees — when she began searching for a full-time role.

Click the link below to read more about Engstrand's incredible life and legacy.
https://www.sandiego.edu/newscenter/167683

10/07/2026

This Torero Tuesday was nothing short of extraordinary. Thanks to your incredible generosity, 345 donors stepped up for the College, helping us more than double our original goal and raise over $200,000.

Behind those numbers are real stories: direct support for student scholarships, groundbreaking research opportunities, hands-on creative projects, and experiential learning that prepares our students to make a difference in the world.

Whether you are an alumnus, a parent, a faculty or staff member, or a friend of USD, your support sends a powerful message to our students that our community believes in their potential.

From all of us in the College of Arts and Sciences, thank you for your commitment to our students and your belief in the transformative power of a liberal arts education.

10/07/2026

USD student Otto Lana exemplifies a true Changemaker. A Sociology major and Changemaking minor, Lana is actively redefining communication and challenging the disability narrative through advocacy and entrepreneurship.

Lana’s motto, “Everyone Belongs Here,” reminds us that every student — regardless of disability — deserves an education that presumes their full potential.

Watch our latest video to hear Lana’s story in his own words and keep an eye out for Arts & Sciences magazine to read more about Lana’s incredible journey.

10/06/2026

We need YOU to unlock $10,000 for the College of Arts and Sciences!

Pat Morrin, chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board has issued a major Torero Tuesday challenge: if we surpass last year’s total of 228 donors to the College, Pat will give $10,000 to power opportunities for our students and faculty.

We are already at 134 donors now! So please help up raise that number past another 94!

We can’t do it without you. Please make your gift for any amount now by clicking below and help us beat 228! Thank you so much for your incredible support!
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/85283/donations/new?designation=collegeofartsandsciencesdeansleadershipfund&

10/06/2026

Torero Tuesday is finally here, and the College of Arts and Sciences is so excited for our annual day of giving!

Please consider supporting the Dean’s Leadership Fund this year! Every gift helps cultivate our foundation of success.

When you give to the Dean’s Leadership Fund, you do more than donate—you break down financial barriers, alleviate sudden student hardships, and unlock dynamic, hands-on learning experiences that redefine what’s possible.

Let’s make this Torero Tuesday record-breaking for the College of Arts and Sciences! Please click the link below to make your gift. Thank you so much for your support. https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/85283/donations/new?tc=113252

10/05/2026

Let’s make this Torero Tuesday record-breaking for the College of Arts and Sciences!

We’re 1 day away from our annual day of giving! Get ready to show your Torero pride and support the Dean’s Leadership Fund and all of our incredible departments in the College!

Every gift helps cultivate our foundation of success.

To give early and learn more, visit the link below and click on the “Make Your Gift Early” blue button.

From there, click: College of Arts and Sciences in the dropdown menu. Then, you can choose which of our funds you would like to donate to.

Thank you so much, for your support!
https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofSanDiego/torero-tuesday/?a=13894690&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demonl4n2a5x&fbclid=IwY2xjawUuJa9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5PYvaXOoxCh-xhWDhhnQ0Vo4NKFROgFXwQzWQKy7j09Lm2dpSk0Igu9t69uQ_aem_sdUBePIMmIViVpmiswyxRQ

10/04/2026

Let’s make this Torero Tuesday record-breaking for the College of Arts and Sciences!

We’re 2 days away from our annual day of giving! Get ready to show your Torero pride and support the Dean’s Leadership Fund and all of our incredible departments in the College!

Every gift helps cultivate our foundation of success.

To give early and learn more, click the link below and then click on the “Make Your Gift Early” blue button.

From there, click: College of Arts and Sciences in the dropdown menu. Then, you can choose which of our funds you would like to donate to.

Thank you so much, for your support!
https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofSanDiego/torero-tuesday/?a=13894690&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demonl4n2a5x&fbclid=IwY2xjawUuJa9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5PYvaXOoxCh-xhWDhhnQ0Vo4NKFROgFXwQzWQKy7j09Lm2dpSk0Igu9t69uQ_aem_sdUBePIMmIViVpmiswyxRQ

10/03/2026

Let’s make this Torero Tuesday record-breaking for the College of Arts and Sciences!

We’re 3 days away from our annual day of giving! Get ready to show your Torero pride and support the Dean’s Leadership Fund and all of our incredible departments in the College!

Every gift helps cultivate our foundation of success.

To give early and learn more, click the link below and click on the “Make Your Gift Early” blue button.

From there, click: College of Arts and Sciences in the dropdown menu. Then, you can choose which of our funds you would like to donate to.

Thank you so much, for your support!
https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofSanDiego/torero-tuesday/?a=13894690

10/01/2026

Let’s make this Torero Tuesday record-breaking for the College of Arts and Sciences!

We’re less than one week away from our annual day of giving! Get ready to show your Torero pride and support the Dean's Leadership Fund and all of our incredible departments in the College!

Every gift helps cultivate our foundation of success.

To give early and learn more, visit the link below and click on the "Make Your Gift Early" blue button.

From there, click: College of Arts and Sciences in the dropdown menu. Then, you can choose which of our funds you would like to donate to.

Thank you so much, for your support!

Join me and make a gift to Torero Tuesday 2026