The Division of Liberal Arts at Indian River State College
Indian River State College plays a vital role in providing accessible and affordable education to a diverse student body. One of our institutions’ most integral academic departments is the Division of Liberal Arts. This division encompasses a broad spectrum of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and fine arts, which collectively contribute to the development of critical thinking, communication, and cultural awareness. The Division of Liberal Arts, under the leadership of Dean Dr. Scott Stein, serves as a foundation for students pursuing associate and bachelor’s degrees.
It includes English, history, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, modern languages, political science, and visual and performing arts departments. These programs offer general education courses that fulfill degree requirements and prepare students for further study. The liberal arts curriculum is designed to cultivate highly valued skills in various career fields, such as analytical reasoning, written and oral communication, and cultural competency.
While Indian River State College is committed to workforce development, it is the Division of Liberal Arts that provides soft skill training, including leadership, problem-solving, integrity, teamwork, writing well, and empathy, to name a few. “We are the crucial starting point, “says Dr. Stein, “the foundation for understanding the world we live in. Future employers want the skills that the liberal arts teach.” A study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities indicated that 93% of employers deemed a liberal arts graduate as someone who could demonstrate the capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems.
Dr. Stein says the best thing about his job (besides seeing students succeed) is working with “great faculty.” These faculty love working with the College’s students in a modern way. Dr. Stein encourages faculty members to “try new things and provide information to students in a manner that pertains to their lives. Students don’t read the way they used to; they’re surrounded by screens; they learn differently than the generation of students learned before them.”
“Support for the division’s students is built in the classroom,” says Stine, meaning the professors provide individualized support and guidance to their students who have varying degrees of academic preparedness. Some students require developmental coursework in reading and writing before they can succeed in college-level courses. The rise of online education and hybrid learning models has transformed the way liberal arts courses are delivered. While these modalities offer flexibility, they also present challenges in maintaining student engagement and ensuring the same level of interactive learning that traditional classroom settings provide.
While the Division of Liberal Arts requires little equipment and specialized spaces, Dr. Stein’s wish list includes a designated English Computer Lab and thirty laptop computers that a professor can check out for classroom use. “We have students who don’t have computers at home. To allow students computer access in the classroom would be advantageous.” Stein’s division has worked to embrace the use of technology, including AI, without losing the foundational skills that make a student successful in life, both personally and professionally.
The Division of Liberal Arts at Indian River State College serves as a cornerstone of general education, fostering intellectual growth, preparing students for diverse career paths, and contributing to a well-rounded, educated workforce.
