Sierra Nevada College is proudly, unabashedly a liberal arts college. What, exactly, does that mean?

Our definition of a liberal arts education is that it is not only a study of academic disciplines but also a mode of instruction that emphasizes applying knowledge and skills learned in one context to new contexts, and on employing interpersonal skills like teamwork, courage, creativity and judgment to solve complex, interrelated problems. At Sierra Nevada College, we take it a step further: We believe that a liberal arts education is the best way to prepare not just for your work, but for your entire life.

Why?

Because it is not enough for students to master the  tools and techniques of, say, accounting, if they do not take a holistic approach in dealing with the challenges of the workplace and the world. A liberal arts education provides students with diverse opportunities to acquire, refine, and use the skills that business leaders and professional organizations of every stripe are seeking, which just happen to be those that are highly emphasized in the liberal arts—leadership, problem-solving, creativity, global awareness, and teamwork. Our students hone their abilities to be persuasive, effective writers and speakers. But just as importantly, they learn how to get along with people.

The world changes and so does the workforce.

College graduates need to be prepared to have not one career but a number of careers throughout their lifetime. The new workplace requires flexibility and adaptability. Some educational programs focus more on creating experts in ever-more specialized fields.  We graduate scholars who are able to make informed judgments even on matters outside their particular competence. If we have done our job well, our graduates enter the world as well-trained, well-rounded individuals.

We have built Sierra Nevada College on the belief that the liberal arts teach you how to live a full life.

When we talk about “lifelong learning,” what we really mean is a lifelong joy in learning, not just the ability to learn. We want to prepare students for a successful life, and we want that life to be fulfilling and fun. No matter how much the world, and the workplace, changes, citizens grounded in the liberal arts will be prepared to add value through work and find meaning in their lives.