Academics

Step inside the classroom

The College of the Liberal Arts provides our students with the opportunity to pursue a transformative, globally respected Penn State education. Led by world-class scholars and teachers working within the humanities, social sciences, and languages, our departments, programs, and research institutes will provide you with a classic liberal arts education that also puts you on the path to a gratifying career.

During your education, you’ll be instilled with all the core liberal arts values—communication, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and appreciation for other cultures and other times—while having the opportunity to pursue out-of-classroom experiences like internships, education abroad, and research that allow you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and grow personally and professionally. You’ll get to work with scholars leading their respective disciplines, collaborate with students with similar interests, and connect with our vast network of college and University alumni who can serve as mentors and help you build your professional network.

Degree Programs

With nearly 150 undergraduate majors, minors, integrated undergraduate-graduate degrees (IUGs), associate degrees, and certificates to choose from, the College of the Liberal Arts truly has something for everyone no matter what your academic or career aspirations are. Taught by first-rate faculty with deep research and professional experience, our programs are intellectually rigorous and constantly evolving to meet the needs of an ever-changing workplace.

Departments

Our college is made up of highly accomplished teachers and researchers devoted to their individual focuses within the humanities, social sciences, and languages. Each department and program promotes and nurtures your academic journey through in-person and online instruction and research, all with the goal of producing graduates well-prepared to be exemplary professionals and global citizens. Meanwhile, our centers and institutes facilitate interdepartmental and interdisciplinary research and outreach geared around numerous subjects of academic and societal importance.

Student Services

Committed to developing deep interpersonal relationships with students, the college’s Student Services staff will connect you with all the resources and opportunities you’ll need to succeed before and after you receive your degree. Located in Sparks Building, the college’s academic and administrative home, our Students Services include the following offices:

Academic Advising
Academic Scholarships
Career Enrichment Network
Chaiken Center for Student Success
Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
Paterno Fellows Program

First-generation student Camren found “a mentor who felt like family,” and a community that would shape her Penn State journey at the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success. She was paired with peer mentor Kaisha Garvin-Darby (’24 Psychology), who shared her academic and career interests.

Camren Boyogueno

The Liberal Arts Chaiken Center is a space where students can study, connect, and feel supported. It also offers events and resources that help students grow academically and personally.

Camren Boyogueno

The transition from Delany's hometown in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to college was not easy as a first-generation college student. "You’re the first for everything — the first to figure out the future for your family and beyond." Delany's turning point came when she visited a Liberal Arts peer adviser and heard about the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success. Facing financial uncertainty, she connected with center Director Patty Klug, who introduced her to the Chaiken Scholars program and other resources.

Delany Moreno

The Career Enrichment Network is filled with kind and intellectual people who push you to be the best person you can be here at Penn State and set yourself up for success post-grad.

Kayla Lynch

If you pursue a liberal arts education without a structured career path in mind, it may make it more difficult to find a job after college. Learn what you're good at, speak to the career coaches in the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, and research roles you think best align with your skills.

David Gross

I am most grateful for the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network and donors for the funding they have provided for me to engage in many of the professional development experiences I have had over the summers during my Penn State career.

Ben Lindgren

Chaiken CenterChaiken ScholarFirst-Gen

Camren Boyogueno

’26

Psychology

Biology (minor)

Psychology

Biology (minor)

Chaiken CenterChaiken ScholarFirst-Gen

Delany Moreno

’26

Criminology

Political Science (minor)

Sociology (minor)

Criminology

Political Science (minor)

Sociology (minor)

The transition from Delany’s hometown in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to college was not easy as a first-generation college student. “You’re the first for everything — the first to figure out the future for your family and beyond.” Delany’s turning point came when she visited a Liberal Arts peer adviser and heard about the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success. Facing financial uncertainty, she connected with center Director Patty Klug, who introduced her to the Chaiken Scholars program and other resources.

Campus LeaderChaiken CenterMentoringMentorship

Jasmin Tanner

’26

Global and International Studies

World Literature (minor)

Global and International Studies

World Literature (minor)

Jasmin started at Penn State Altoona before transferring to University Park as a second-year student. Together with Patty Klug, Jasmin created the “change-of-campus lead mentor” role at the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center. In this position, Jasmin has been given the opportunity to build the initial framework and foundation of the position and work to develop the mentorship, support and resources. She advocates for more resources on behalf of her peers to ensure other first-gen and change-of-campus students aren’t left to navigate campus alone.

Chaiken CenterMentoring

Alexa Sanchez

’26

Psychology

Criminology

Psychology

Criminology

On campus, Alexa serves as a peer success coach in the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center, a role she described as an honor and a responsibility. “I wanted to be the help I received from the coaches and everyone in the center when I first arrived at Penn State.”

Chaiken CenterInternship

Alexa Sanchez

’26

Psychology

Criminology

Psychology

Criminology

This past summer, Alexa received hands-on experience as an intern at Erimo Abogados, an immigration law firm in Madrid, Spain. Working entirely in Spanish, she assisted with legal documentation and traveled to different government offices to request paperwork. All aspects of the internship worked to the general goal of helping clients navigate Spain’s immigration system. This experience was partially funded by the Chaiken Center Endowment.

Chaiken CenterMentorship

Diana Lopez

’26

Psychology

Reflecting on her own experiences, Diana shared that her first year of college was a difficult one, marked by academic struggles and challenges in getting involved. She started attending Liberal Arts Chaiken Center events regularly and soon learned about the opportunity to become a peer success coach, realizing it would be a great way to support students going through similar struggles.

Penn State’s honors programs expanded my academic horizons while giving me mentors who genuinely care about my goals. Being part of these communities helped me realize that my perspective as a Malian woman in international studies is valuable and needed.

Fatoumata Doumbia

The great thing about the Paterno Fellows Program is it provides a great backbone and structure that encourages students to excel and push themselves. It can be hard in a regular environment to approach a professor about a research opportunity, apply for that leadership position you’re not sure you’re cut out for or take the more rigorous class at the risk of a higher workload. With a program like Paterno Fellows, there is a clear, defined goal with the necessary support to reach that goal, which makes it that much easier to take those risks and strive to succeed.

Owen Perry

There were conversations I had through the college that really impacted the way I have conversations now with my peers and with my supervisors. It makes me feel like I’m competent and capable.

Jamie Nguyen

I did a lot of civic engagement back in Philly, so I really found a passion for politics. My academics have allowed me to gather a greater sense of the world around me, both of the world itself, as well as the systems we live under. I’ve really been able to understand how culture impacts us, and I’ve been able to discover the world outside of my circle.

Zion Skyes

When I learned about the Paterno Fellows Program, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to push myself academically and personally. It has enriched my Penn State experience by exposing me to opportunities I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise, like honors classes that challenge me to think in new ways.

Elisabeth Egeli

The Paterno Fellows Program challenged me by placing me into honors courses that emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills. These are valuable skills that can benefit me not only in my academic pursuits but also in my personal and professional life. Becoming a Paterno Fellow has also granted me the amazing opportunity to join the esteemed Schreyer Honors College.

Brooklynn Jones

Honors Education

Pursuing an honors education not only demonstrates your commitment to a quality college experience but it could very well put you at an advantage when the time comes to apply for a job or graduate school. Available to students within and aspiring to the University’s Schreyer Honors College, the Paterno Fellows Program is the college’s signature honors experience and includes enhanced out-of-class requirements. The college also has a couple departmental honors programs.

Campus LeaderPaterno FellowsSchreyer ScholarStudent Organizations

Cara Arnoldi

’26

Political Science

Communications Arts and Sciences

Public Policy (master's degree)

Political Science

Communications Arts and Sciences

Public Policy (master's degree)

For Cara, a Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar — Penn State was more than just a college choice — it was a legacy. Her parents met as Penn State students in the Blue Band, making it no surprise that she now leads the organization as president during its milestone 125th anniversary.

CriminologyPaterno FellowsPsychologySchreyer Scholar

Kara Stover

’26

Criminology

Psychology

Criminology

Psychology

Kara’s work as a firefighter and her academic path have opened new doors for her future, blending her skills in criminology and psychology with a deep commitment to public service. She said she’s considering fire investigation as a potential career, a path that would allow her to unite her academic background and real-world experience in a meaningful way.

Global and International StudiesPaterno FellowsPolitical ScienceSchreyer Scholar

Zion Skyes

’25

Political Science

Global and International Studies

Political Science

Global and International Studies

With a strong foundation in the liberal arts, Zion is charting a path toward a career in governmental consulting or international law. His leadership as UPUA president and transformative experiences at Penn State have prepared him to make a lasting impact, with plans to further his education at law school.

Campus LeaderPaterno FellowsPolitical ScienceSchreyer ScholarStudent Organizations

Zion Skyes

’25

Political Science

Global and International Studies

Political Science

Global and International Studies

Zion’s desire to get involved and passion for civic engagement led him to joining University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) to learn about the issues that mattered most to the Penn State community. “When I first joined, I served as the State College Borough Council liaison, which allowed me to understand how we as the University interact with the town. I was able to deliberate with people who cared about a variety of issues.” Now, UPUA president, he has two main goals he would like to accomplish: update the 19-credit surcharge at Penn State, which he said will assist in making sure education is accessible to all students and help transition Penn State’s Fostering Lions Program, an organization that aims to “improve postsecondary education outcomes for students entering Penn State from the foster care system,” to a different area of the University where it may be able to more effectively assist students.

CriminologyPaterno FellowsPsychologySchreyer Scholar

Elisabeth Egeli

’26

Criminology

Psychology

Sociology (minor)

Criminology

Psychology

Sociology (minor)

From a young age, Elisabeth has been driven by one of her biggest passions: understanding the psychology of crime. “I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior, particularly about criminals. I want to understand why people commit crimes and how psychology and societal factors intersect in shaping those decisions.”

Campus LeaderPaterno FellowsSchreyer ScholarStudent Organizations

Lenneya Murray

’25

Criminology

Sociology (minor)

Criminology

Sociology (minor)

Lenneya is a Paterno Fellow, Schreyer Scholar, Bunton-Waller Fellow and first-generation student who channels her leadership skills into advocacy and empowerment. Throughout her undergraduate journey she has gotten involved on campus and has embraced numerous leadership roles to maximize her experience at the University, including being the former president of Penn State’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and now the second vice president of Pennsylvania’s NAACP Youth and College Division, where she oversees all of the NAACP college chapters across the state.

Academics

Step inside the classroom

Degree Programs

Departments

Student Services

Camren Boyogueno

Delany Moreno

Jasmin Tanner

Alexa Sanchez

Alexa Sanchez

Diana Lopez

Honors Education

Cara Arnoldi

Kara Stover

Zion Skyes

Zion Skyes

Elisabeth Egeli

Lenneya Murray

Academics

Admissions

Academics

Funding

Beyond the Classroom

Professional Development

Student Services

Admissions

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Center for Language Science Speaker Series: Victoria Cano Sánchez

Center for Language Science Speaker Series: Faranak Kianfar

Film Screening: Funeral Parade of Roses (1969, 105 min.) by Matsumoto Toshio

Reading New Books: The Arsacids of Rome: Misunderstanding in Roman-Parthian Relations by Jake Nabel

Meet the Executive Vice President and Provost

A Real Pain: Film Screening and Panel Discussion

Post-Film Discussion with Julia Alekseyeva: Funeral Parade of Roses

IHRM Webinar Series: Career Transition Paradoxes: From Migrants to Digital Nomads

The Mary E. Rolling Reading Series presents Rion Amilcar Scott

Film Screening: Matsumoto Toshio’s ANPO (1959, 30 min.)

Department of Political Science Lecture Series: Kanisha Bond, Binghamton University

Public Humanities Forum

CSC Innovation Hub Symposium 2026

Center for Language Science Speaker Series: Anne L. Beatty-Martínez

Film Screening: Trouble Every Day (2001, 101 min.) by Claire Denis

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