The added value of the Liberal Arts and Sciences - by Dr. Elizabeth Mix

Meet UCG's new Head of Student Affairs: Dr. Elizabeth Mix. Prior to coming to the Netherlands, Dr. Mix was a college professor of Art History in the United States for over 20 years. In the Cat Café of Groningen we got acquainted, casually petted some cats and talked about UCG and the Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Dr. Mix had this to say: "The added value of a LAS degree is that it fills your portfolio with skills and practical experiences highly desired by a wide range of employers, for instance, written and oral communication skills, critical and creative thinking skills and the real-life experience of working as part of an international team. At UCG, Intercultural communication skills are developed within a highly international context. The LAS programme will also broaden your world view. Put simply: you will not see the world in the same way. Previously you might have seen limitations - now you will see possibilities. You will be the person people will come to for brainstorming sessions and problem solving.

"The vast majority of careers, especially in the age of Artificial Intelligence, require careful communication across cultures, tact & diplomacy, the ability to see the big picture and creative problem-solving skills. In fact, it is difficult to create a list of careers where these skills are not needed! Jobs that don't require these skills are increasingly done by computers. LAS skills allow you to position yourself for not just a career - but a series of careers that you choose and/or create yourself.

"Our programme is unique in the Netherlands due to its project-based learning in every year of the curriculum. The first year project focuses on Global Challenges and lays the foundation for students to grow. Each year students gain more personal responsibility for their projects - in their final year they become the project leader. Unlike other interdisciplinary programmes, we don't force you to choose a major or specialisation when entering the program. This gives you the freedom to explore and experiment with all of the things you are interested in. This does not mean though that you come to UCG to 'figure it out' - instead you come to UCG because you don't want to choose just one subject to study!

"At UCG you own your educational path - whether or not you eventually choose a free major or one of our 3 major orientations".

- Dr. Elizabeth Mix