By knowing who we are as a college, we can clearly communicate it through visual, written, and oral communication means. The following should anchor all branding and communication decisions.
The following statements define why CLA exists, what we do, and how we do it. Additionally, this page summarizes the college’s values and voice, helpful when determining tone in written communication. Finally, this page offers the narrative story and elevator pitch of our value as an organization.
Purpose
The reason we exist
We apply our creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to advance the human experience.
Mission
What we do
We create and extend knowledge and artistry that develops reflective citizens and confident leaders.
Vision
Our aspiration
Be a central part of every CSU student’s experience, and be the most innovative, engaged College of Liberal Arts at a public, land-grant institution.
Values
Be courageous and determined
Be curious
Be empathetic
Engage with our communities and the world
Create knowledge, research, and artistry
Develop wisdom
Advocate for equity and justice
Pursue excellence
Evoke emotion
Voice
How we sound when we write
Intelligent
Conversational
Clever
Confident
Compassionate
... which all combine to support an overall tone of
Informed
The College of Liberal Arts Story
The disciplines within the College of Liberal Arts have educated, inspired, and transformed learners at CSU for 150 years. From literary magazines to marching band, philosophy to economics, the skills of reading, writing, critical thinking, self-expression, creative inquiry and production are practical, universal, and applicable in all realms of life. These skills and this knowledge equip people to be confident, thoughtful leaders in multiple arenas and a variety of professions.
At CLA at CSU, we learn, explore, and question what, where, when, why, how, and who regarding the human experience.
This questioning leads to:
- understanding and wisdom that informs our modern lives, and which we pass along and share with others;
- challenging existing structures to better serve all people;
- creating and building something new or better, something inspirational and meaningful.
We believe that education can open doors to opportunity.
We believe that a well-functioning democracy needs citizens who...
- are broadly educated,
- explore others’ perspectives,
- have the ability to investigate why a system or structure
or knowledge set exists, - ask what might be done to improve the human experience,
- create art that evokes powerful emotions.
In the College of Liberal Arts, we
Create
Imagine
Understand
Advocate
Organize
Investigate
Express