The Augustana University College of Arts & Sciences is the foundation of an Augustana education — offering diverse undergraduate programs deeply rooted in the liberal arts. Across the college's five areas — Life Sciences, Pure & Applied Sciences, Humanities & Cultural Studies, Languages, Literature & Communication and Social Sciences, as well as the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS) — students are prepared to lead successful careers and meaningful lives.
College of Arts & Sciences at AU
Meet the Dean
At Augustana, we believe that students are more than their major. The Augustana College of Arts & Sciences is where they gain both deep knowledge in their chosen field and the broader skills that make a life meaningful — clear communication, ethical reasoning, creativity and empathy.
As dean, Dr. Jennifer Gubbels helps carry this vision forward. A biologist by training, she has also explored questions at the intersections of science, faith and ethics — experiences that convinced her of the power of the liberal arts to connect head with heart. At Augustana, the liberal arts are not separate from professional training, but integrated — preparing students not just for work, but leadership, service and a lifetime of learning.
| COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES | ||||
| AREAS | ||||
| HUMANITIES & CULTURAL STUDIES | LANGUAGES, LITERATURE & COMMUNICATION | LIFE SCIENCES | PURE & APPLIED SCIENCES | SOCIAL SCIENCES |
DEPARTMENTS | DEPARTMENTS → Communication & Media Studies | DEPARTMENT → Biology | DEPARTMENTS → Chemistry & Biochemistry | DEPARTMENTS → Economics |
Latest News
Augustana University’s third annual Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium will culminate with Dr. Joy Buolamwini as the featured speaker. Buolamwini, bestselling author, MIT researcher and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, will give a keynote presentation to the Augustana community, alumni and friends at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, in the Elmen Center, with a book signing to follow.
Tickets for the 2025 Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium are free and available to the public at augie.edu/CICCTickets.
The Eide/Dalrymple Gallery at Augustana University is welcoming alumna Gracie Rothering ‘22 for a homecoming exhibition that is on view through Oct. 2. Rothering will exhibit two photographic series, “Hola Daniela” and “HomeTown,” and will present a free public artist talk on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. as a part of the Viking Days festivities. A gallery reception will be held the same evening from 7-9 p.m.
Augustana University welcomed a total of 2,548 students — part- and full-time undergraduate and graduate students — for Academic Year 2025-26, the largest ever student body in Augustana’s 165-year history. Among those undergraduates, a total of 615 full-time first-year students chose AU — a record high and 15% increase from last year. Augustana also set a record for the overall number of graduate students in the university’s history.