The CHASS January 2026 College meeting departed from its usual informational format to engage faculty and staff in the process of radical transformation. This theme for the 2025-2026 academic year focuses on change as fundamental to the human condition which education animates since we are always changing through learning to better understand and impact our world.
The GreenHouse::Innovation Team, led by Howell J. Malham and Sabrina Rahman, facilitated a process meant to enliven the imagination and open our community to the potentiality of social innovation and change as essential to our educational practices. Faculty and staff imagined “The Promised Land” where liberal arts educators stood at the forefront of decision-making in society. After dreaming big, they turned to what specific actions could be taken by each
individual to effect the change which they want to see in the world the very next day. This introduction to innovation dynamics kicks off our collective efforts to generate change in the face of strong headwinds confronting the liberal arts and higher education in 2026.
Dean Boryczka closed the meeting by announcing how CHASS would complete its Strategic Plan this semester and support innovative initiatives through Transformation Grants that will provide funds to prompt further change throughout the College.